Real Madrid had yet another frustrating game in the Champions League, this time against Club Brugge, as the Spanish giants could only manage a 2-2 draw. Zinedine Zidane’s men were in trouble going into half time as they were 0-2 down at home but clawed their way back to get a point.
Madrid now turn their attention towards La Liga, where they face off against Granada on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu. They sit top of the La Liga table with 15 points, but their opponents are second, just a point behind them.
PREDICTED REAL MADRID LINEUP vs GRANADA (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois was hauled off at half-time after feeling unwell and replaced by Alphonse Areola. He missed training the following day, and if he is not fit to play, Areola will return in goal for in the Real Madrid lineup.
Defence
Madrid have yet another injury to a defender as Nacho is the latest to go on the treatment table. He, too, was replaced at half-time from his left-back slot – the position he filled due to injuries to Marcelo and Ferland Mendy.
Marcelo will return to the Real Madrid lineup for the game against Granada, while Raphaël Varane and Sergio Ramos will play as the two centre-backs. Dani Carvajal had a woeful game against Brugge and Zidane may perhaps give the Spaniard a rest and start Álvaro Odriozola at right-back for the Spanish giants.
Midfield
Luka Modric returned to the Real Madrid lineup against Club Brugge, and played the entire 90 minutes, but had a very poor game. We could perhaps see Modric dropped for Isco, who made the bench for the game against Brugge. Casemiro and Toni Kroos, who both played the entire 90 minutes for Real Madrid against Club Brugge, could start alongside Isco.
Attack
Gareth Bale was given a rest and Lucas Vázquez played in his place, who was very poor. Bale could be restored to the starting lineup and play with Karim Benzema, with Vinícius Júnior playing on the left for Madrid instead of Eden Hazard. Hazard also had a below-par performance against Brugge and he will most likely drop to the bench.
