Actual Madrid proceed the defence of their La Liga crown on Sunday afternoon after they welcome Girona to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Regardless of dumping Manchester Metropolis out of the Champions League midweek, issues are usually not excellent for Madrid. They’ve didn’t win any of their final three La Liga matches, with dropped factors permitting Barcelona to overhaul them within the standings.
Victory at residence to Girona is of paramount significance to their title bid and ought to be achieved comparatively comfortably given the underwhelming type of the Catalan facet. Even with out the suspended Jude Bellingham, Los Blancos ought to waltz to a few factors on Sunday.
Right here is how Carlo Ancelotti might line his facet up towards Girona.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – The previous Chelsea stopper would have anticipated to be busier on Wednesday night however was hardly ever examined by Man Metropolis’s ahead line. Girona are unlikely to name him into motion too typically.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – The return of Vazquez to the bench midweek signifies that Federico Valverde ought to return to midfield on Sunday as Madrid seek for a primary clear sheet in February.
CB: Raul Asencio – David Alaba made a quick cameo towards Man Metropolis however is not going to be rushed again into the beginning XI given his harm report. In the interim, the spectacular Asencio ought to retain his spot within the lineup.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Ruidger additionally made his comeback from harm towards Man Metropolis and supplied a characteristically defiant efficiency towards the reigning Premier League champions.
LB: Ferland Mendy – Fran Garcia has been most well-liked in current La Liga outings however with the Champions League play-off spherical out of the way in which, Mendy might return in home competitors. He shall be stored busy by livewire Viktor Tsygankov on Sunday.
CM: Federico Valverde – Valverde produced an all-action show from right-back midweek however shall be happy to return to the consolation of the engine room. The Uruguayan’s boundless vitality shall be key with Bellingham lacking.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – Equally to Valverde, the Frenchman will be thankful for his return to midfield after filling in at centre-back throughout current video games. He is been removed from his finest this time period however at all times seems to be extra comfy within the centre of the pitch.
CM: Dani Ceballos – Ceballos has been a shock revelation over current weeks and served up one other eye-catching show in Europe on Wednesday. He’ll dictate the tempo in his deep-lying operate.
RW: Rodrygo – Rodrygo has been overshadowed by his extra glamorous attacking teammates because the starting of the month however remains to be instrumental to Madrid’s success together with his velocity and ingenuity down the right-hand facet.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – An beautiful hat-trick on Wednesday reminded the world what Mbappe stays able to regardless of a combined begin to life in Spanish soccer. He is discovered type over the previous few months and has scored 13 occasions in his final ten matches.
LW: Vinicius Junior – The Brazilian hasn’t scored in his final six matches, which is a big drought for a participant of his potential. He’ll need to finish that run towards a Girona facet struggling for defensive stability.
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