Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

How Real Madrid could line up against Alaves

sportsmole.co.uk, 19 December 2023, 14:10
Real Madrid are set to be without at least seven players for Thursday's La Liga encounter with Alaves at Mendizorroza.

Los Blancos were dealt a huge injury blow on Sunday as defender David Alaba torn his ACL in the 4-1 victory over Villarreal, which is set to rule the Austrian out for the rest of the season.

Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao are also long-term absentees with knee injuries, while Eduardo Camavinga (knee), Dani Carvajal (calf), Arda Guler (muscle) and Vinicius Junior (thigh) are all targeting a return in the New Year.

The absence of Alaba is set to see Nacho Fernandez handed a start at centre-back alongside Antonio Rudiger, but manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni can also operate in central defence if required.

Ferland Mendy was replaced at half time in the win over Villarreal with a thigh injury and has emerged as a doubt for Thursday, so Fran Garcia could deputise at left-back as Lucas Vazquez continues on the right; Kepa Arrizabalaga, meanwhile, is expected to return between the sticks at the expense of Andriy Lunin.

Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham all started against Villarreal, the latter two also scored, and the quartet are in contention to retain their places in midfield, but Ancelotti could turn to Tchouameni or Dani Ceballos if he wishes to freshen up his starting lineup.

In attack, Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz may retain their places in the first XI after scoring at the weekend, but the latter will likely face competition from former Alaves striker Joselu.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Kepa; Vazquez, Rudiger, Nacho, Garcia; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo

Top News

20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund have reportedly made Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen as a priority target for the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England captain Harry Kane is reportedly expected to prove his fitness in time for Euro 2024. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final spot in the last 16 of the Copa do Brasil will be determined on Thursday when Ceara host CRB in the second leg of that tie at Arena Castelao. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has reportedly been ruled out of the Champions League final. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Flamengo return to action in the Copa do Brasil when they go head to head with Amazonas in the second leg of their third-round clash on Wednesday. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina have omitted Roma attacker Paulo Dybala from their provisional squad for Copa America 2024. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has named a 24-man travelling squad for Wednesday's post-season friendly against Newcastle United at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric headlines Croatia's preliminary squad for Euro 2024, with the 38-year-old set to represent his country at a major international tournament for the final time. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a first major trophy since 1963, Atalanta BC will try to conquer 'invincible' German champions Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's Europa League final, which takes place in Dublin. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich and Al-Nassr have reportedly expressed an interest in signing an out-of-favour Tottenham Hotspur defender this summer. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An exhilarating and captivating 2023-24 Premier League campaign has come to a close and Manchester City have been crowned champions for an unprecedented fourth season in a row, finishing two points clear of their nearest challengers Arsenal in second place. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still undefeated this season, Bayer Leverkusen can complete the second leg of a memorable treble by emerging victorious in Dublin this week, as they take on Atalanta BC for the right to be crowned Europa League champions. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly reached a decision over an asking price for defender Trevoh Chalobah. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The manager of a top-half Ligue 1 club has confirmed that he would be interested in working with a departing Manchester United centre-back next season. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A talented youthful striker apparently wanted by Arsenal is now believed to be the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Feyenoord manager Arne Slot as their new head coach to replace Jurgen Klopp. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following 51 games without defeat, Bayer Leverkusen put their unbeaten record on the line in Wednesday's Europa League final, when Atalanta BC attempt to finally halt the German champions. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe may reportedly not be involved in the Coupe de France final. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly set an asking price for one of their more experienced players ahead of the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest are reportedly yet to make a decision over the future of head coach Nuno Espirito Santo. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has expressed his pride after winning a second successive Premier League Golden Boot. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serbia's preliminary squad for Euro 2024 has been named by head coach Dragan Stojkovic, who has called upon an initial 35 players for the national team training camp before their flight to Germany. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United are reportedly set to announce the appointment of David Moyes's successor as manager 'later this week'. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brasileirao Serie A side Corinthians take on Serie D America de Natal in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil third round at the Neo Quimica Arena on Thursday morning. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has issued a fresh update on the futures of in-demand trio Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta ahead of the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Bayern Munich are reportedly among a number of clubs interested in signing Red Bull Salzburg centre-back Oumar Solet. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Rodri has claimed that Arsenal lacked the 'mentality' to win the Premier League title and has criticised the Gunners for not wanting to beat them at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk ADO Den Haag and SBV Excelsior will be looking to boost their chances of playing Eredivisie football next season when they square off in the first leg of their playoff semi-final on Wednesday. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final chapter has closed on a captivating 2023-24 Premier League season, one which saw Manchester City earn another slice of English football history as the first team to win four Premier League titles on the spin. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final chapter has closed on a captivating 2023-24 Premier League season, one which saw Manchester City earn another slice of English football history as the first team to win four Premier League titles on the spin.