Real Madrid hopes to be able to skip rivals Barcelona and take the initiative for La Liga’s title race when they face their tough rivals in El Clasico.
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After a huge Champions League victory against Liverpool in the middle of the week, Zinedine Zidane’s men return to domestic work with the knowledge that a victory can take the title out of Barcelona’s hands and potentially move them level on points with leaders Atletico Madrid.
With injury problems losing their team, especially in defense, Zidane has tough decisions to make when it comes to his line-up, as he knows he has a huge second band with Liverpool coming. Here, 90min predicts the line-up he chooses to earn Los Blancos huge three points.
Mendy is the only first-time defender suitable for Madrid | Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Getty Images
Thibaut Courtois (GK) – The undisputed goalkeeper, Courtois, has kept 12 clean sheets this season in La Liga.
Lucas Vazquez (RB) – Vazquez has, of course, proved to be a more than capable replacement for the injured Dani Carvajal and will need to continue in this unknown role.
Eder Militao (CB) – No Varane or Ramos for Zidane to choose, so Militao will start. Had a fantastic match against Liverpool and another great achievement can be the catalyst for a successful Real Madrid career.
Nacho (CB) – Experienced, versatile, Nacho is an academy prospect who has Zidane’s confidence and can be trusted to keep a calm head.
Ferland Mendy (LB) – The only defender available, Mendy has been brilliant this season and will keep Marcelo on the sidelines.
Madrid’s old guard continues to shine in the midfield Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Casemiro (DM) – One of, if not the best defensive midfielder in the world, Casemiro is remarkably Madrid’s second best goal scorer behind Karim Benzema and always shows up for the big games.
Toni Kroos (CM) – The German received a beautiful assist against Liverpool and is technically still one of the best midfielders in the world.
Luka Modric (CM) – Age is nothing more than a number that Modric continues to show this season. He starts when it is convenient for Zidane.
Benzema have scored nine goals in their last eight games Fran Santiago / Getty Images
Marco Asensio (RW) – Asensio finally looks back on his old self after a serious knee injury and sees more than capable of fulfilling his untapped potential.
Karim Benzema (ST) – The team’s talisman, Benzema is Real’s most important forward and is one of the first names on the team sheet.
Vinicius Jr (LW) – Inconsistent is the best way to describe the 20-year-old, but two goals against Liverpool show the level he can reach. Eden Hazard’s continued absence gives him another chance to shine.
