Reigning European champions, Real Madrid will make the trip to the east of Spain, Valencia where they would be taking on mid-table side Levante. Los Blancos are nine points adrift of table toppers and arch-rivals, Barcelona who they take on next weekend at the Santiago Bernabeu in the La Liga Santander.
Real Madrid’s 2018/19 season has been fairly average for the Whites up to this point. The whole managerial change from Julien Lopetegui to Santiago Solari has not allowed Real Madrid to express themselves as freely on the field as they used to under the charismatic command of Zinedine Zidane.
However, the team seems to have picked up momentum under Solari lately. A thumping display in the Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano followed by a Champions League victory away at Amsterdam against Ajax saw the team grow in confidence. However, a rather shocking 1-2 defeat last weekend at the hands of Sporting Gijon did not help their cause.
Thus, the Levante fixture is of high importance for Real Madrid considering the fact that they play Barcelona twice in the space of the next seven days followed by a high-intensity return leg of the UEFA Champions League against Ajax.
The late Sunday evening kick-off against Levante could see several changes to the starting line-up. Numerous players could be rested ahead of several crucial matches. Here is what we at T4O think would be the Vikings staring-eleven at the Estadio Ciutat de Valencia.
Defence
League first choice keeper, Thibaut Courtois would be the man guarding the sticks. The Belgian has failed to keep a clean sheet in his last three appearances and would be aiming to hold on to one this time around.
It is expected that Nacho would step in for a suspended Sergio Ramos and would be partnered by World Cup winner, Raphael Varane. Alongside the two experienced centre-backs would be Madrid’s summer recruit, Alvaro Odriozola and Marcelo Vierra. This could well be Marcelo’s last shot at redemption. The Brazillian has become the second choice to the young Spaniard, Sergio Reguilon.
Midfield
Dani Ceballos is expected to start in midfield alongside the young and determined Marcos Llorente who would be filling in for Casemiro. Casemiro could be rested with the Brazilian being a yellow card shy from facing suspension in the El Clasico. “Mr Invincible”: that’s how the Spanish press has described him at times, but he has already picked up four yellow cards during the season.
Luka Modric, who has been a bit off-form would be allowed to gain his rhythm ahead of a few tough fixtures. The Croatian is unlikely to play the entire ninety minutes and could be taken off around the hour mark.
Attack
Real Madrid’s number 9, Karim Benzema would be occupying the striker’s position with Vinicius Junior and Gareth Bale supporting on either side. Taking into account Vinicius Junior’s involvement in goal scoring opportunities for Madrid’s last few games or so, the 18-year-old has cemented his place in Santiago Solari’s starting eleven.
Starting Eleven 4-3-3
Courtois
Odriozola – Varane – Nacho – Marcelo
Modric – Llorente – Ceballos
Bale – Benzema – Vinicius
Although the trip to Valencia would not be of great difficulty for Solari’s men, it is essential for them to return to Madrid with all three points in the bag. A victory would also essentially allow them to go into a tough run of fixtures with some sort of positive momentum.
