Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Real Betis
Real Madrid will play hosts for the first time this season as they continue their journey to the defence of the La Liga title. Today, they have to take on Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu in a game that will define who the outright table leader is at this point of the season.
Thibaut Courtois starts in goal, as he usually does. He has been brilliant as ever this season, but has not managed a clean sheet. With the roar of the Bernabeu behind him, though, one can be more hopeful.
In defence, we are graced with the usual suspects as David Alaba returns to his centre-back role alongside Eder Militao. Daniel Carvajal and Ferland Mendy have been tasked with providing width from the back.
Toni Kroos starts from the bench, with Eduardo Camavinga taking his place in the centre of the park. Aurelien Tchouameni has made the pivot role his own, and will continue there, with the assistance of Luka Modric in midfield.
Finally, the onus is on Karim Benzema to carry on his spectacular display from against Espanyol as he spearheads the attack. Vinicius Jr is his aid on the left, while Federico Valverde has been dropped for Rodrygo on the right.
📋✅ Our starting XI 🆚 @RealBetis_en! #RealMadridRealBetis pic.twitter.com/piDwVtvPyI
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 3, 2022
Confirmed Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
Eden Hazard is one of the Real Madrid players who have vowed to stay at Santiago Bernabeu until the end of his contract. His current deal at the club expires in 2024.
Even though the Real Madrid star has been courted by several MLS and even the Saudi Arabian clubs, the forward has shown no desire to leave Bernabeu just yet. He wants to stay at the club even though Los Blancos are ready to sanction his sale this summer.
In the midst of this drama, a fresh report from Alfredo Matilla suggests Real Madrid are now considering terminating the contract of Eden Hazard.
This comes shortly after a report which claimed that a Real Madrid player who is not out of contract this summer, may shockingly leave the club this summer. Ferland Mendy was a potential candidate, but it appears Hazard has not been ruled out either.
The Belgian international has offered very little since joining from Chelsea in 2019 for a record-breaking €115 million fee. His spell at the Bernabeu has been marred by injuries, while the player has also struggled to impress when given the opportunities.
Inside the Real Madrid dressing room, there is both grief and resentment towards Belgian, who has remained steadfast in his decision to stay at the club. He has a good standing in the team due to his professionalism, but the Real Madrid bosses are determined to get rid of him this summer.
Hazard, after all, is the highest-paid player in the squad and his departure could open up a chunk of the space in the salary mass. But it must be noted that Real Madrid would have to spend a fortune to terminate Hazard’s contract.
Hence, it will be interesting to see whether or not Los Blancos end up splashing the cash in order to get Hazard out of their books this coming summer.
