Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Osasuna
Real Madrid will have the chance to cut down Barcelona’s lead on top of the table to five points if they can get a win against Osausuna tonight. Coming off an impressive 4-0 win against Elche, Carlo Ancelotti has made four changes to the starting lineup.
Karim Benzema has been rested for the game, giving way to Rodrygo to start as the false 9. Vinicius Jr aids him from the left side, while Federico Valverde returns to play on the right-wing, replacing Marco Asensio.
Eduardo Camavinga retains his spot as the defensive midfielder, while Dani Ceballos also continues to play in the centre of the park. With Toni Kroos still out, though, Luka Modric has been handed the reins of the midfield.
The backline features four central defenders, with David Alaba presumably as the left-back, while captain Nacho starts on the right. Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao get the nod to start in central defence, screening Thibaut Courtois, who returns from injury.
📋✅ Our starting XI 🆚 @Osasuna_en! #OsasunaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/Di8gKBJUs0
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 18, 2023
Confirmed Madrid XI: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Camavinga, Ceballos; Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius
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 Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.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.
