Real Madrid News
Official: Luka Modric starts for Croatia vs Morocco, World Cup third-place
Following their exit at the hands of Argentina in the semi-finals, Croatia will take on Morocco in the third-place play-offs of the 2022 World Cup. The Croatians finished as the runners-up in 2018 and will be looking for two podium finishes in consecutive editions.
Unsurprisingly, guiding their team from midfield is none other than Luka Modric. The Real Madrid legend captains the red and whites, starting alongside Mateo Kovacic and Lovro Majer in the trident.
Zlatko Dalic has given chances to players who have not featured enough during the competition, starting with Josip Stanisic as the right-back. Josip Sutalo partners Josko Gvardiol in central defence, while Ivan Perisic has been asked to drop deep as the left-back.
Andrej Kramaric and Mislav Orsic form the wing pairing in attack, while Marko Livaja gets the nod to lead the Croatian lineup as the striker.
Here is how #Croatia starts #FIFAWorldCup third place play-off against Morocco! 🥁 #CROMAR #Qatar2022 #Family #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/ucb4jUSGQP
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) December 17, 2022
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
