Eder Militao and Jude Bellingham will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup when they host Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday.
Real Madrid will be desperate to return to winning ways and keep the fading La Liga title hopes alive when they welcome Girona to the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday night. Alvaro Arbeloa has received a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Ferland Mendy is in contention to take on Girona after stepping up his recovery from his injury nightmares. So, Thibaut Courtois (thigh) and Rodrygo (knee) are the only players in the treatment room.
Additionally, Franco Mastantuono will serve a suspension and miss the game against Girona this week. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arbeloa confirmed that Eder Militao and Jude Bellingham would start against Girona. The Spanish tactician also discussed the former’s importance to his squad.
The Real Madrid head coach said, “Militao and Jude will be starters. Ferland will likely get some minutes. When Militao is at his best, he’s probably the best center-back in the world because of the qualities he possesses. Physically, he’s very dominant. Also, in one-on-ones, defending large spaces in open field—which is very important at Real Madrid.”
“He has powerful aerial ability, which also helps us in set-piece situations, and he’s a player with great ball distribution. He’s very complete. His mentality and the character he brings to the team are also crucial. That’s beyond question. It’s a privilege to have a player like him.”
Andriy Lunin will continue to deputise for Thibaut Courtois between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-3-1-2 formation in front of him against Girona on Friday. The backline will feature Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, and Fran Garcia, with the latter replacing the calamitous Alvaro Carreras.
As for the midfield unit, Jude Bellingham will join Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde in the middle of the park. Finally, Arda Guler will reprise the no. 10 role, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior completing the numbers in the offensive unit.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
