Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Manchester City; UCL semis first leg
Santiago Bernabéu is set to host Manchester City tonight in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg, as Real Madrid hope to go two-for-two against Pep Guardiola’s side in consecutive semi-finals.
Carlo Ancelotti has made a few changes to the starting lineup that took on Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final on Sunday. Thibaut Courtois starts in goal, commanding the box, with four defenders screening him.
David Alaba has received the nod to start in central defence alongside Antonio Rudiger, who replaces the suspended Eder Militao. Daniel Carvajal starts on the right side of the quartet, with Eduardo Camavinga holding width on the left.
In midfield, meanwhile, Toni Kroos gets the start over Aurelien Tchouameni, while Luka Modric returns to the setup after his hamstring injury. The midfield is rounded off by Federico Valverde.
Finally, in attack, Karim Benzema spearheads the trio, while Rodrygo assumes responsibility on the right-wing. Vinicius Jr retains his spot on the left side.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 9, 2023
🆚 @ManCity#UCL pic.twitter.com/zdEMNJ6ZCO
Confirmed Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
