La Liga Matchday 2 sees Real Madrid welcome Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Zidane’s men will be playing their first game at home in the 2019-20 season following their Matchday 1 victory over Celta Vigo where they managed to seal all three points.
Zidane & Co. would need more than just the victory over Betis to please over their ever-demanding fans following a trophyless season last time around. Zidane’s troubles continued even into the pre-season where his side lost to their noisy neighbours, Atletico Madrid, 7-3 in a goal-fest in the USA.
Real Madrid would be without a handful of names for this fixture courtesy of injury and suspension. Marco Asensio is ruled out until the turn of the year with an injury he picked up in pre-season. Summer signings, Eden Hazard and Rodrygo, are both ruled-out with strained hamstrings. Brahim Diaz would also be unavailable for selection due to an injury.
Luka Modric picked up a red-card on match-day 1 and will not even make it to the bench for the season opener at the Santiago Bernabeu. The away side, Real Valladolid also won their first encounter as they beat Real Betis 2-1 away at the Benito Villamarín Stadium.
Here’s how Real Madrid could line-up for this fixture in their bid to maintain a three-point lead over Barcelona (yes it is early, but still).
Defence
Thibaut Courtois would be the man guarding the sticks for Los Blancos ahead of an experienced back-four. Nacho would occupy the right-back spot and will be crucial in utilising the width of the Santiago Bernabeu pitch. Raphael Varane would start in the centre back position and will be partnered by Sergio Ramos. Marcelo is most likely to start ahead of summer signing, Ferland Mendy.
Midfield
A three-man midfield would start even in the absence of Luka Modric. The defensive midfielder, Casemiro would be partnered by Toni Kroos who scored an astonishing goal against Celta. Isco would play in a slightly advanced position ahead of the two ever-reliant midfielders.
Attack
Gareth Bale had a very perplexing summer due to his dilemma of staying or leaving the club but will retain his position in the starting eleven. Karim Benzema who was prolific last season will start in the number nine position with Lucas Vasquez most likely to start on the right flank.
Predicted Line-Up
Courtois
Nacho – Varane – Ramos – Marcelo
Casemiro – Kroos
Isco
Bale – Benzema – Vasquez
