Jose Zorilla will see Real Madrid’s first action after the restart of club football on Friday night. Carlo Ancelotti’s side face off against Pacheta’s men in a fixture they have not lost since 2008. Yet, one cannot predict the form of either team coming off a long hiatus.
Valladolid sit 13th on the league table with five wins in fourteen games. Their start to the new season has been far from ideal, but it is equally true that Real Madrid have not hit top gear yet this season.
With 24 games left in the season, it is time for the men in white to fasten their seatbelts and press the accelerator. The right start tomorrow could serve to propel them to good momentum, but a loss at Valladolid would be devastating.
Madrid Universal brings you the predicted lineup ahead of Real Madrid’s awaited clash tomorrow.
Starters
To have conceded fourteen goals in fourteen appearances is not something one would usually associate with Real Madrid. Yet, such has been the story of the Whites this season – starkly underwhelming in defence.
Thibaut Courtois has failed to keep a single clean sheet in ten La Liga appearances so far this season. While the Belgian is certainly not the only party responsible for the despicable numbers, he will be amongst the most determined to turn it around on Friday.
Courtois’ goal will be guarded by the centre-back pairing of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba. The former had a decent campaign for the German national team in Qatar but still has a lot to prove when given a chance by the manager. Meanwhile, his defensive partner is coming back from a month-long break from football.
A lot has been said about Ferland Mendy and his poor attacking ability recently. The youngster will be under the limelight now more than ever and must turn up big to shut his haters and solidify his place in Ancelotti’s plans. He could start at left-back.
The duties on the other side of defence will likely be taken by Daniel Carvajal who had little to contribute to Luis Enrique’s set-up in the past month. He is as fresh as the day he left and will look to dominate Sergio Escudero on the night.
Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga will all be available at the manager’s disposal at Jose Zorilla, but it is only the 20-year-old who has a chance to start. Needless to say, Tchouameni and Modric deserve the rest after phenomenal runs in Qatar.
Camavinga will likely start alongside Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde against Real Valladolid. The German has been a regular difference-maker for Real Madrid this season, averaging close to two key passes per game.
Meanwhile, Valverde’s campaign so far has been nothing short of flabbergasting, as he boasts of six goals and two assists in just 14 appearances. Back home after a long break, the youngster will look to take his career-best season to new heights.
Vinicius Jr. was one of Brail’s primary protagonists on the field last month. He started four games, scoring one goal and providing two assists. Back in the white colours of Real Madrid, the young phenom will start on the left wing and get straight back to business.
The protege could be accompanied by Marco Asensio on the right wing at Jose Zorilla as Ancelotti tries a formula rarely used before in the season.
The Spaniard may have endured a difficult start to the season, but all signals point that his importance in the team will only grow from this point on.
The final piece in the starting XI will be Karim Benzema. The French striker has been all over the news in the last week after his ex-agent publicly revealed that the striker was fit for France’s knockout games in the World Cup but was sent home by Deschamps for personal vengeance.
Having announced his international retirement, Benzema’s full focus is now on Real Madrid. On Friday night, he will look to grab the new start by the collar and blitz out his best moves.
Vinicius · Benzema · Asensio
Valverde · Kroos · Valverde
Mendy · Alaba · Rudiger · Carvajal
Courtois
Substitutions
Luka Modric is a player who just cannot be kept out of the action for long. Despite his ripe age and recent fatigue, he could be involved in the second half.
Aurelien Tchouameni has already proven to be a gem on the biggest stages in the world and is indispensable to Ancelotti’s plans. He could come on in the second half for Camavinga.
Dani Ceballos and Lucas Vazquez could be called upon to bring fresh legs, and Ancelotti could also deploy Rodrygo to shuffle the attack.
