Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid squad list to face RB Leipzig
Real Madrid are looking to seal the top spot in Group F of the UEFA Champions League as they take on RB Leipzig in midweek.
Heading into the game, the reigning European champions have recently confirmed their squad list for the trip to Leipzig, who have had to cope with the death of owner Dietrich Mateschitz earlier today.
The Real Madrid team does not feature Karim Benzema, who missed out on the weekend encounter against Sevilla due to muscle fatigue. He is set to remain out once again, though Carlo Ancelotti has no shortage of options in the form of Eden Hazard, Vinicius Junior and youngster Alvaro Rodriguez.
📋✅ Our squad for the match 🆚 @RBLeipzig_EN!#UCL pic.twitter.com/4kTPuoU8Cc
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 23, 2022
Another major absentee is Federico Valverde, who suffered a minor concussion after the Sevilla contest. He has been presumably rested, as Ancelotti keeps one eye on the Girona encounter later this week.
One notable inclusion in the squad, aside from youngster Alvaro, is Sergio Arribas. Widely regarded as one of the best talents coming out of La Fabrica academy, the playmaker is hoping to gain his big break this midweek, especially in the absence of Valverde.
Real Madrid squad vs Leipzig: Courtois, Lunin, Lopez; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Lucas Vazquez, Rudiger, Mendy; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Dotor, Arribas; Hazard, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Alvaro
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
