Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Celtic
After a disappointing and controversial result against Girona on the weekend, Real Madrid have the task of locking horns against Celtic in the final round of the Champions League. As it stands, they are on top of the group with ten points, but dropping points today could prove to be fateful ahead of an already hectic second half of the season.
As such, Carlo Ancelotti has gone with the best possible starting lineup of the players he has available. Karim Benzema is still recovering from an injury, and Rodrygo continues in his place through the centre.
Marco Asensio has been included in the team on the right-wing, with Vinicius Jr rounding off the trio on the left-wing.
Toni Kroos has taken Aurelien Tchouameni’s place in defensive midfield, while Federico Valverde starts as the left central midfielder. Luka Modric takes responsibility of the captain’s armband as the other interior.
Familiar faces in the back-four, with Ferland Mendy as the left-back. Dani Carvajal retains his spot on the right side of the quartet, with Eder Militao replacing Antonio Rudiger in central defence. David Alaba continues alongside him, as one would expect.
This back-four will be guarding Thibaut Courtois’ goal.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro 𝗫𝗜 inicial 🆚 @CelticFC! 💪#UCL pic.twitter.com/OByxOFd0Hn
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) November 2, 2022
Vinicius · Rodrygo · Asensio
Valverde · Kroos · Modric
Mendy · Alaba · Militao · Carvajal
Courtois
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 Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.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.
