Real Madrid: 4 takeaways from announced squad against Leganes

Rodrygo of Real Madrid (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Rodrygo of Real Madrid (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 05: Luka Modric of Real Madrid in action during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Granada CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 05, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 05: Luka Modric of Real Madrid in action during the Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Granada CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 05, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Midfield looks strong, Modric is back

Toni Kroos returned to the starting lineup against Galatasaray last week and proceeded to pick up where he left off before his adductor injury against Granada. He’ll likely have another masterclass against Leganes on Wednesday, who will be powerless to stop Kroos. The German international is flourishing in a more advanced attacking role under Zinedine Zidane, spraying key passes and peppering goalkeepers with dangerous finesse shots from outside the area.

But Luka Modric is another veteran center midfielder to watch for on Wednesday. Modric suffered an injury over the October international break in the very same game in which Gareth Bale was injured, but the Croatian star is back in the lineup. I doubt he starts so soon after being injured and with other quality options available, but it is great to see him in the lineup.

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Fede Valverde, Casemiro, and Kroos will likely be Zidane’s preferred three-man midfield going forward, and since all are well-rested after El Clasico was moved to December, they should all start on December.

James Rodriguez should be mentioned in the mix when he’s available, but he won’t be playing today. Don’t worry, he isn’t injured. His reason for missing the game is far more positive: he is being with his family for the birth of his child.