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Modric, Kroos out; Camavinga, Valverde in: How Real Madrid could line up against Getafe
There was nervousness aplenty before Real Madrid faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this week. Los Blancos were not only up against the defending champions of the UCL but also the team that knocked them out of the competition last year.
As always, it was Karim Benzema who stole the show. The Frenchman scored a second consecutive Champions League hat-trick and put his side in a commanding 3-1 lead ahead of the second leg on Tuesday.
However, Madrid have one more game to handle before the much-awaited return leg midweek. Carlo Ancelotti’s side face Getafe at home and must win to hold onto their 12 point lead on the standings.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois made four saves against his former club to help his side to a win last week. The Belgian has been in incredible form this season and will look to keep a clean sheet against the 14th placed side.
In central defence, David Alaba could be given a much-needed rest ahead of the decisive fixture. With La Liga almost sealed and delivered, the manager will look to take a few risks on the night.
In the Austrian’s absence, Nacho could start alongside Eder Militao. The Brazilian seemed to have picked up an injury against Chelsea but has fortunately not suffered anything serious. He will be ready to start on the night.
Daniel Carvajal will start at right-back after an impressive defensive show midweek. Ahead of the second leg, he will look to keep his good run of form.
The left-back position will be covered by Marcelo with Mendy absent from the squad list due to injury. The Brazilian is no longer the player he once used to be, but can still plug the hole against Getafe.
Needless to say, the matchup between the defender and Damian Suarez will be fascinating to watch.
Midfield
In midfield, Real Madrid will see wholesale changes. Casemiro will be the only veteran midfielder to start on the night and will be tasked with holding the fortress against any counterattack.
Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are expected to start on the bench. The duo will have to feature extensively in Real Madrid’s next two games, i.e. against Chelsea and Sevilla. In their place, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde could receive call-ups into the starting lineup.
Camavinga impressed the management and fans alike with his masterful performance against Real Sociedad last month.
Since then, he has seen regular playing time off the bench. Given that the manager does not have many options at his disposal, the 19-year-old could be part of the starting lineup on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde will stick to his usual role of dictating play and linking up in the final third.
Forward
In attack, Karim Benzema will start as the striker and look to extend his unreal goalscoring form. The veteran has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in his last seven games, a clear indication of what he means to the current team.
At this point, a rest could do more harm than good to the player by disturbing his seamless form.
Vincius Jr should start on the left wing and will be up against Djene. The Brazilian has slightly fizzled out in recent months after a blistering start to the season. Heading into the most critical phase of the campaign, Vinicius will look to return to his imperial best.
The final name on the starting lineup will likely be Marco Asensio. The Spanish player has been linked with a move to AC Milan in recent days and will look to prove his worth to the manager.
At the same time, it is a great chance for Asensio to attract suitors and give them a glimpse of his brilliance.
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.
