Real Madrid News
Key Real Madrid duo remain doubts for Celtic clash – report
Real Madrid will be gunning to bounce back to winning ways after failing to come out on top in their last two matches. Up next for Carlo Ancelotti’s side is the final group game of the UEFA Champions League against Celtic at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ahead of the game though, Real Madrid are continuing to sweat over the fitness of two of their key players in Karim Benzema and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Benzema has missed three games in a row now due to muscle fatigue. While he is not said to be injured, the Frenchman felt pain ahead of the game against Girona and Ancelotti opted not to risk the club captain.
And according to Miguel Angel Diaz of COPE, Benzema remains a doubt for the game against Celtic. The 34-year-old trained by himself on the pitch today and did some work with the ball before training in the gym.
And while the sensations after the session are reported to be good, Los Blancos could continue to be cautious with their approach with the Ballon d’Or 2022 winner and opt not to risk him against the Scottish giants.
As for Tchouameni, the French midfielder withdrew from the squad ahead of Sunday’s clash against Girona due to some discomfort. The 22-year-old summer signing has become a pivotal player since joining the club and his absence was felt in the weekend clash.
Ahead of the Celtic encounter, Tchouameni also trained by himself earlier today and even though he is not carrying any injury, his involvement in the midweek encounter remains ‘complicated’.
An update on their potential availability could emerge tomorrow when manager Ancelotti addresses the press on the eve of the game on Wednesday.
The Santiago Bernabeu is ready for the first time in a fortnight as Real Madrid are set to host relegation-threatened Real Valladolid for gameweek 27 of La Liga. The gap between them and Barcelona was increased to 15 yesternight, and los blancos will be looking to cut it down to 12 to scarce the tiniest bit of hope of defending their league crown.
Carlo Ancelotti has opted to use a highly attacking starting lineup for the clash, with Karim Benzema spearheading the front-three. He is flanked by Marco Asensio on the right while Vinicius Jr retains his place on the left.
Rodrygo also gets the nod to start, probably as an attacking midfielder in what looks like a 4-2-3-1.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been given the nod in midfield, with Toni Kroos forming the double pivot alongside him.
With Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Nacho out injured, Eduardo Camavinga gets the license to start as the left-back, while Lucas Vazquez flanks the defence from the right. The usual suspects — Eder Militao and David Alaba — start in central defence.
Thibaut Courtois was a doubt heading into this game, but has been given the medical greenlight to take his place as the goalkeeper.
Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Tchouameni, Kroos; Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius; Benzema
