The 4th Official
·26 February 2021
The 4th Official
·26 February 2021
Real Madrid will be locking horns with Real Sociedad at the Alfredo de Stefano on Matchday 25 of La Liga Santander. When these two teams last clashed in the Primera Division earlier this season, it ended in a stalemate and the points were shared.
Zidane’s team have not conceded a goal in the past four matches and Real Sociedad will find it difficult to get past the make-shift back-line Madrid has been deploying in recent times. Real Sociedad are positioned 5th in the points table and will need to keep up with their recent run of three victories in the league if they want to secure a European spot.
Los Blancos have been struggling to put together a team of first-team players with barely twelve available at Zidane’s disposal. Regular starters like Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Dani Carvajal and Karim Benzema are all missing out due to their respective injuries. Additionally, Eder Militao, Alvaro Odriozola, Rodrygo and Marcelo are also receiving treatment at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas Training Facility.
Thibaut Courtois will be taking command in goal. The Belgian goalie has displayed splendid form this season and made several match-winning saves for Zidane’s team. Lucas Vasquez will be retaining his place in the side at the right-back position with Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Odriozola out injured. Vasquez has stepped in well when his team have needed him the most and it explains his importance to the side.
Raphael Varane will be partnered by Nacho Fernandez in defence. It is believed by many that Nacho actually started the season lower in the pecking order to Eder Militao, but his performances have a different tale to tell. Nacho is a versatile player to have at your disposal and his commanding presence in defence has barely made the absence of Sergio Ramos noticeable. The hero from the trip to Italy, Ferland Mendy will be occupying the left-back position.
Luka Modric will start in midfield as he has done on several occasions this season despite turning 35 last September. It is commendable for a player of Modric’s age to be playing day in and day out, something several youngsters struggle with. Zidane will be expecting an inspiring performance from Modric who is so pivotal to Madrid’s endeavours forward.
Casemiro will act as a cushion to the make-shift Real back-line. The Brazilian inspired Madrid to a 1-0 victory last weekend. Toni Kroos will be positioned to the left of Casemiro. The German midfielder has been amassing machine-like passing accuracy in his past couple of games and it just shows a fraction of the dangers this Real Madrid team possess with everyone fit and raging to go. Isco could be an option for Zidane to use off the substitutes bench.
Marco Asensio will be starting at the right flank. The winger has looked sharp since the turn of the year, however, he needs to work on his final product which seems to be a bit hay-wire in recent matches. Mariano will be heading back into the starting line-up after being dropped to the bench against Atalanta for the Whites’ trip to Italy. Isco started in the false nine role which did not pay dividends for Zidane and a more traditional approach is expected out of the gaffer on Monday night. Vinicius Jr will be starting on the left-hand side. The young attacker’s burst of pace spelt constant trouble for Atalanta, but his final delivery certainly has scope for improvement.