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Camavinga replaces Casemiro in a 4-3-3: How Real Madrid could line up against Sevilla
Sitting rather comfortably on top of the league, Real Madrid face one of their biggest challenges before they can seal their first trophy for the season. They travel to Seville to take on Julian Nagelsmann’s Sevilla for gameweek 32 in La Liga.
While Madrid are in spectacular form heading into the tie, with eight wins in the last ten games, the same cannot be said about Sevilla.
After being knocked out by West Ham in the Europa League round of 16, Sevilla drew 0-0 against Real Sociedad, and then lost 1-0 vs Barcelona.
While the Palanganas secured a 4-2 win against Granada, they did not look too comfortable during the game, and conceded twice in the league for the first time since 22nd January.
Heading into the tie, Carlo Ancelotti has a few problems at hand. Not only did his side play 120 minutes in midweek against Chelsea, but he does not have the services of Casemiro either.
In such a situation, the starting lineup itself could dictate the outcome of the game. Madrid Universal takes a look at how Los Blancos could line up against Sevilla tomorrow night.
The starters
Madrid did not have Eder Militao for their Champions League clash against Chelsea, but the Brazilian is expected to return to the starting lineup tomorrow night. He will likely partner David Alaba in the heart of the defence.
With Ferland Mendy injured, any casualties in the backline could cost Real Madrid massively. We expect Lucaz Vazquez to start at right-back after Carvajal’s two-hour shift in midweek. Nacho Fernandez will likely take the left-back spot.
No doubt over the gloves as Thibaut Courtois continues to maintain his position as one of the, if not the best goalkeeper in Europe this season.
The biggest question mark in midfield will be Casemiro’s replacement. Eduardo Camavinga is expected to take his place there, especially after Federico Valverde’s tiring shift in the UCL.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric retain their place in central midfield, with the former hoping to make much more of an impact than he did against Chelsea.
Karim Benzema looked like he had picked up an injury in the Champions League, but trained with the group. As such, he should man the centre-forward position in the attack.
Vinicius Jr and Marco Asensio will probably round of the attack. The latter is much more of an attacking threat than Rodrygo, which will be required against a tight defence like that of Sevilla.
Predicted Real Madrid XI:
Vinicius · Benzema · Asensio
Kroos · Camavinga · Modric
Nacho · Alaba · Militao · Vazquez
Courtois
The bench
Should Real Madrid take a comfortable lead in the first half, we can expect to see some early changes in the second half, starting with some much-needed rest for Modric and Benzema.
Valverde is in contention to start, but should he not, he will almost definitely come off the bench in any case. Gareth Bale, too, could come on to replace ‘Benz’, as he has, so often this season.
Dani Ceballos could be asked to come on to add more depth to the midfield, much like the Chelsea clash. Rodrygo, too, is definitely in with a shout with a chance to replace one of the attackers.
Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Real Valladolid was far from convincing. They may have been the more effective side, but the Merengues were far from being the better team against Andoni Iraola’s men.
Saturday brings with it the team’s penultimate game of the campaign as Real Madrid take on Sevilla. The Andalusian side have not been impressive in La Liga this season but have always been one to turn up against the big teams. Tomorrow’s game is expected to be no different.
Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make drastic changes ahead of kickoff, especially given the incomplete squad travelling for the game. Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Sevilla vs Real Madrid.
1. Final game on the road
The 2022-23 season has flown by in the blink of an eye. It may have been a rocky campaign and could have ended with better results, but there is a feeling that the squad has a lot to take away from the season as it is.
From the highs of completing a special Copa del Rey comeback win over Barcelona to the lows of losing three successive Clasicos, the men in white have seen it all. As the season now approaches the curtain-closing phase, Carlo Ancelotti and his men will be eager for a strong finish.
Sunday night will see the Merengues‘ final away game of the season as they travel to Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan to take on Sevilla. The 2021-22 champions have not had the best of seasons on the road in La Liga this season and a statement finish would go a long way in boosting the morale.
Sevilla have been far from their best this campaign domestically. Though they are well placed to taste glory in the UEFA Europa League once again, they languish in tenth place on the league standings with just 13 wins in 36 games.
Los Blancos boast a fine record at Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan and are unbeaten at the stadium in their last eight appearances. Their last defeat at the venue came back in 2018, and the objective tonight will be to extend the aforementioned streak.
2. Tchouameni’s point to prove
As much as Aurelien Tchouameni’s initial months at the club were called paradise, the Frenchman has not had life easy at Real Madrid in his first season.
The Frenchman initially stepped in as a more than able replacement for Casemiro in the middle of the park. His astute reading of the game and defensive awareness made him a monster in midfield and his position in the starting lineup appeared safe.
Tchouameni’s situation, however, took a steep turn after the FIFA World Cup. Coming back from a fatiguing World Cup and a minor niggle, the defensive midfielder no longer found his name on the starting lineup as he became second fiddle to Eduardo Camavinga.
The entry of Toni Kroos as an option for the pivot role further reduced the Frenchman’s involvement.
The youngster thus has a point to prove on Sunday night. He is expected to start at the Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan and will look to orchestrate the team’s play from deep in midfield whilst holding the fortress simultaneously. After all, it could be his final chance to prove his worth ahead of the new season.
3. Only three forwards
Real Madrid’s squad list only names three forwards making the trip to Seville to take on Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side – Rodrygo Goes, Eden Hazard, and Alvaro Rodriguez.
The manager does have a fourth option in Federico Valverde and could look to mix and match his options on the night. However, Carlo Ancelotti maintained a low profile on the starting lineup ahead of Sunday’s clash, especially when asked about Eden Hazard’s chances of participating.
Given that it is the team’s penultimate game of the season, Ancelotti could well look to start all three pure forwards on the night. After all, each has their own special reason to participate.
For Hazard, the game against Sevilla could well be his final away game in a Real Madrid shirt. The Belgian is reluctant to leave the club at the moment, but everything could change in June if he begins to attract interest.
In Alvaro Rodriguez’s case, tomorrow’s game presents itself as an audition to seal a place in next season’s dynamics. The youngster has impressed whenever given the chance so far and will look to keep his high level going.
Rodrygo Goes, arguably, needs the game the least of the three candidates. Yet, with Ancelotti publicly asking him to take more prominence, he has a point to prove.
