Federico Valverde and Brahim Diaz will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against UD Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Real Madrid will aim to return to the summit of La Liga when they welcome UD Las Palmas to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon. And Carlo Ancelotti has a new roster issue hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Vinicius Junior will serve the first of his two-match La Liga suspension on Sunday. The Brazilian international has joined Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Eduardo Camavinga on the sidelines. In addition, Luka Modric will serve a one-match suspension, with the Croatian international not in the matchday squad.
Ancelotti was sweating over the fitness of Fran Garcia after the Spaniard picked up a knock in the Copa del Rey clash with Celta Vigo. However, the Spanish full-back is fit and available to take on UD Las Palmas. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti discussed David Alaba’s progress after the Italian tactician included the veteran defender in the matchday squad.
The Real Madrid manager said, “Alaba is fine, yesterday he played 40 minutes and felt good. Obviously, the injury has had an impact on his sharpness a bit, but that’s normal. The knee is responding very well and he’ll be in the squad. He won’t start, but he could have some minutes tomorrow because he’s very close to being back in the team.”
Ancelotti also discussed Vinicius Junior and his absence, saying, “We haven’t talked about this. He’s been calmer because I think he’s learned from what’s happened recently and from the red card. We miss him because he’s a great player.”
Vinicius Junior’s absence will give Brahim Diaz a chance to impress. The Moroccan international will join Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe in the final third, with the latter leading the line for Real Madrid against UD Las Palmas on Sunday. As for the midfield unit, Federico Valverde will pair up with Aurelien Tchouameni in the double pivot.
The backline should see one change, with Ferland Mendy replacing Fran Garcia as the left-back. The French defender will accompany Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, and Antonio Rudiger in the defensive quartet. Finally, Thibaut Courtois will replace Andriy Lunin between the sticks.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Brahim; Mbappe
