Aurelien Tchouameni and Brahim Diaz will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Real Valladolid at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium on Saturday.
Real Madrid will aim to continue the recent winning run when they lock horns with the bottom-placed team in La Liga, Real Valladolid, at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium on Saturday evening. Carlo Ancelotti has a new roster issue to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Vinicius Junior will be unavailable for Saturday’s game due to suspension as he serves the second of his two-match ban. The Brazilian international accompanies Dani Carvajal (knee), Eder Militao (knee), and Eduardo Camavinga (leg) on the sidelines, with the quartet not in the travelling squad.
However, Lucas Vazquez is available after missing the UEFA Champions League game against Red Bull Salzburg due to suspension. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti discussed Vinicius Junior’s absence. The Italian tactician also provided a fitness update on Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Real Madrid manager said, “As far as I know, as I have direct information from the player, he’s very happy here and wants to make history at Real Madrid. All of us who work here are on the same page, we’re happy and we want to make history. It’s going to be good for him not to play these next few games.”
“He has some days to recover, but also some days to work and train. We’ll take advantage of this in March or April, because he’ll arrive fresh for the big moment of the season. They’ve forgotten that with Vinicius we won the Champions League in Paris and London. He’s indisputable, without a doubt.”
On Tchouameni, the Real Madrid boss said, “He’s fine, he’s back now after the slight problem he had. We have Camavinga, who is not available, but he will be very soon. The rest of the team has recovered well and we’re prepared to perform well.”
Aurelien Tchouameni should return to the starting lineup, accompanying Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham in the middle of the park. The midfield trifecta will protect the defensive quartet of Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, Ferland Mendy, and the returning Lucas Vazquez.
Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, with the home side lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against Real Valladolid on Saturday. Finally, the offensive unit should see one change, with Brahim Diaz replacing Vinicius Junior. The Moroccan international will line up alongside Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo in the attacking trifecta.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Brahim, Mbappe, Rodrygo
