Real Madrid make the trip to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan with the worst possible run of games in the build-up to this contest. The Whites have struggled to seal games lately and have generously dropped points in the Primera Division as well as the UEFA Champions League.
The Whites have struggled to impose themselves even against oppositions like Shakhtar and Deportivo Alaves. Zidane’s time at the helm at the Santiago Bernabeu could be dependent on this high profile clash against Sevilla. The Whites will be absolutely determined to return to winning ways when they take to the field in Seville.
The Andalusian side was at the receiving end of a 4-0 hammering at home to Chelsea. Sevilla have enjoyed a topsy-turvy rise this season and will be heading into the fixture almost level pegged on points with Los Blancos.
Zidane will be heading into this fixture with a decent chunk of his playing eleven missing in the form of Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Federico Valverde, Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Odriozola. The handful of above-mentioned players are all nursing injuries and will be unavailable for selection. Here’s how the Whites could take to the field against Julen Lopetegui’s side –
Defence
Thibaut Courtois will be taking command between the sticks against Sevilla. The Belgian goalie has had an average season thus far and would be wanting to return to his glory days at the earliest possible. Ahead of Courtois would be a make-shift backline of Vasquez, Varane, Militao and Mendy. Lucas Vasquez has become a regular starter in the eleven courtesy to a string of injuries that Zidane’s side has encountered in recent weeks. It will be vital for Vasquez to keep things tight down the right-hand side especially with the pace and quality Sevilla that possess.
Raphael Varane will be acting as the commander of the back four in the absence of Sergio Ramos. Varane will have to be on his toes in this fixture and will also be shouldered with keeping his defensive partners in the correct form in order to set the trap perfectly for Lopetegui’s team. Eder Militao is likely to replace Nacho in the heart of Madrid’s defence. The Brazillian will be pairing up with Varane who have played together for a healthy spell of time. Ferland Mendy will be occupying the last place in defence at the left-back slot. The Frenchman has become an integral part of the squad over Marcelo under Zinedine Zidane.
Midfield
The French gaffer has been under immense scrutiny from the local press in Spain alongside the Santiago Bernabeu faithful due to the lack of results. This Matchday 12 encounter is expected to be a deal-breaker for Zidane and the Frenchman would be trusting no one else apart from the trident of Kroos, Casemiro, and Modric in midfield.
Kroos has been in some fine form lately and it will be pivotal for the German to seize control of proceedings in the middle of the park. Casemiro, on the other hand, has recovered from the coronavirus recently and would be aiding the weak-looking Real Madrid back-four. Luka Modric would certainly be up for a fixture of this magnitude and will want to run havoc on the Sevilla defence with his partner in crime, Toni Kroos.
Attack
Marco Asensio will be starting on the right-hand side. The Spaniard has had a slow start to the season but seems to be finding his rhythm and form lately. Zidane has been vocal in support of Asensio after receiving criticism from the press in Madrid for his lacklustre performances. Karim Benzema would be occupying the number nine position and the Frenchman would have to certainly carry his shooting boots to the south of Spain. The injury to Eden Hazard has once again paved the way for Vinicius Jr to return to the starting eleven. The Brazillian youngster would want to make his pace count against Sevilla’s backline.
Predicted Line-Up
