Real Madrid will be heading to Italy to play their Matchday 4 UEFA Champions Leage fixture. Real will take on Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan at the San Siro Stadium.
The Whites got the better off the Milan based outfit when the two sides met at the Alfredo de Stefano stadium about two weeks ago. Rodrygo scored the winner last time around and could also feature in the game off the substitutes bench.
Real Madrid will be without several first team regulars like Sergio Ramos and Federico Valverde. Zidane will also be without the services of Luka Jovic and Alvaro Odriozola.
Here’s how Real could take to the field against Inter –
Defence
Thibaut Courtois will be taking command between the sticks after a poor display against Villarreal. The Belgian was guilty of conceding a penalty and will be looking to make amends for his mistake at the Ceramica Stadium. The return of Carvajal from a ligament injury has been a major blessing for Zidane’s side and the Spaniard will undoubtedly start at the right-back spot.
A centre back pairing for Eder Militao and Raphael Varane is expected to take centre stage at the San Siro Stadium. The Brazilian missed out last time around due to fitness-related concerns and Nacho started ahead of him. Ferland Mendy is set to retain his place in the starting eleven over Marcelo considering that Sergio Ramos would be missing. Mendy is a more defensive-minded option than Marcelo.
Midfield
Real’s most reliant, tested and successful trident over the years, Casemiro, Toni Kroos & Luka Modric will be taking charge of proceedings in the centre of the park. This trio has helped the Whites clinch three UEFA Champions League titles and they will be bracing themselves for an occasion like this against Inter Milan in the Italian capital.
Casemiro has seemingly recovered from the coronavirus and will play a crucial role in Real’s defence which has weakened in the absence of Sergio Ramos. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos will be shouldered with the responsibility of unlocking this well oiled Inter side with their experience, skill and alertness.
Attack
Marco Asensio is expected to make a return to the starting eleven after losing out to Lucas Vasquez last time around. The Spanish attacker has cemented his place in the starting eleven post the departure of Gareth Bale. Asensio will be crucial down the right-hand side and will now be complemented by Dani Carvajal to make things worse for Antonio Conte’s side. Mariano Diaz will retain the number nine position with a suspected injury to Karim Benzema. Mariano got onto the scoresheet against the Yellow Submarine’s and will be eyeing to replicate the same.
Zinedine Zidane will be entrusting Eden Hazard with the responsibilities down the left-hand side. All eyes will be glued to the Belgian who has had a rough start to life in Madrid. Hazard has found it hard to find his form and rhythm. Hazard has been found shying away from taking on defenders on a couple of occasions this season and that’s extremely uncharacteristic of Eden Hazard.
