Real Madrid cruised to a 2-0 win over Osasuna mid-week and have moved to the top of the La Liga table ahead of their huge match against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
Manager Zinedine Zidane made several changes to the team, bringing in a few youngsters who did the job for the French manager.
Zidane has to contend with injuries to his key players, but a few of them may return for the Madrid derby.
Let’s take a look at the possible Real Madrid team that could play against Atletico Madrid on Saturday:
Predicted Real Madrid Lineup vs Atletico Madrid
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois was given a rest for the mid-week game as Alphonse Areola made his first start for the Spanish giants and kept a cleansheet. Will Courtois return in goal after Areola impressed? We think so.
Defence
Raphaël Varane was also on the bench for the game against Osasuna as Éder Militão played in his place alongside captain Sergio Ramos. Ramos and Varane should return to the heart of the defence for the game against Atletico.
Meanwhile, Marcelo could return to the team following a neck injury. Zidane will want his experienced defender back in the team as the Brazilian’s deputy, Ferland Mendy, is out with an injury.
Álvaro Odriozola had a good game against Osasuna, and there is a chance that he may retain his place for the Madrid derby ahead of Dani Carvajal.
Midfield
Luka Modric, who has played just two games in La Liga this season and was out with an injury, could return for the high-profile match as he has been training with the squad.
He will replace Federico Valverde in the Real Madrid midfield, and play alongside Casemiro and Toni Kroos for the Spanish giants.
Attack
Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale did not play any minutes in the game against Osasuna, with the latter not even in the squad, but both players will return for the Madrid derby.
Benzema and Bale have been Real Madrid’s best attackers this season, with the former scoring 5 goals and an assist, and the latter scoring 2 goals and an assist.
The duo will replace Lucas Vázquez and Luka Jovic in the Madrid team. It remains to be seen who Zidane plays on the left – Vinícius Júnior or Eden Hazard, after the Brazilian’s good showing against Atletico.
Zidane may perhaps choose Vinícius to add some pace and trickery to the Madrid attack.
