Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup to face Girona
Real Madrid will be hoping to get back to winning ways following a 3-2 loss at the hands of RB Leipzig in the Champions League, as they take on Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti knows there is no scope to slip up as Barcelona have taken the lead over them in the league – even if it is temporary.
There are a few changes to the starting XI from the UCL clash, though. The first of which comes at right-back, where Daniel Carvajal returns to his spot. He is paired with Ferland Mendy, who starts on the other side of the back-four.
This duo will be flanking David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger, who start in central defence, while Eder Militao is benched. Thibaut Courtois has the responsibility in goal.
Eduardo Camavinga retains his spot in the team, and will start alongside Luka Modric in central midfield. Toni Kroos, meanwhile, drops to defensive midfield in place of Aurelien Tchouameni.
Finally, in Karim Benzema’s absence, we have Rodrygo take over the role of the centre-forward once again. Vinicius Jr starts as the left-winger, while Federico Valverde will be hoping to keep up his excellent form on the right side.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜 🆚 @GironaFC! #RealMadridGirona pic.twitter.com/ZsI0b8vENZ
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 30, 2022
Vinicius · Rodrygo · Valverde
Camavinga · Kroos · Modric
Mendy · Alaba · Rudiger · Carvajal
Courtois
Before he was hired by Bayern Munich as the direct replacement for Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel was closely linked with a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The German tactician had kept a close eye on the development at Santiago Bernabeu, especially with coach Carlo Ancelotti facing immense pressure following the club’s poor performances in domestic competitions.
A recent report from Jorge Picon has offered more details on the Tuchel saga, suggesting that the coach was even learning Spanish during his time at Ibiza, anticipating a potential move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
There were even contacts made between Tuchel’s entourage and Real Madrid. Although the talks were positive, the two sides were not able to reach an agreement.
Real Madrid did not guarantee him the job. They had informed Tuchel that Ancelotti may continue at the Bernabeu in the event the club win the UEFA Champions League this season.
This bit of uncertainty played a critical role in convincing Tuchel to join Bayern Munich instead. The former Chelsea boss was hired as a direct replacement for Nagelsmann, who was sacked after a poor season in the Bundesliga by the club’s high standards.
However, Tuchel’s move to Bayern appears to be a missed opportunity on the German’s part, as Real Madrid have recently intensified their search for a new manager.
It is clear that the club’s hierarchy is yet to reach a consensus over the future of Ancelotti, with some believing that a change is necessary come the end of the season. In fact, the club’s president Florentino Perez has been an admirer of Tuchel’s compatriot Nagelsmann.
The coaching prodigy is one of the candidates to replace Ancelotti in the summer, though it is Mauricio Pochettion who is reportedly leading the race so far.
