Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Villarreal
Real Madrid will look to extend their winning run to three games across all competitions when they lock horns with Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu in a couple of hours.
With a chance to cut the gap to league leaders Barcelona to nine points, the Merengues will be gunning for a victory on their home turf.
Ahead of the big contest against Villarreal, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced the starting XI that will be stepping out to the field.
There are a few changes made to the lineup that started against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final in midweek.
Antonio Rudiger, for starters, gets the nod in defence ahead of Eder Militao. Meanwhile, David Alaba starts again in the second centre-back slot. As for the full-back positions, Lucas Vazquez and Nacho Fernandez come into the team. Thibaut Courtois continues in goal.
Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni gets a start in the middle of the park, partnered by Dani Ceballos in what seems to be the double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 formation by Ancelotti.
Coming to the attacking unit, Marco Asensio comes slots in on the right flank, while Rodrygo Goes takes up the No. 10 position. Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr retain their spots in the frontline.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro 𝗫𝗜 inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 8, 2023
🆚 @VillarrealCF #RealMadridVillarreal | @UnicajaBanco pic.twitter.com/l0KQSLDw27
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.
