Real Madrid: Predicted Starting Lineup Vs. Real Sociedad

How will Real Madrid line up in their opener against Real Sociedad.

It’s finally time. Real Madrid prepare for their first La Liga match of the season after their game last week was postponed. Sunday night will be their start to defending the title as they aim to have a successful season under Zinedine Zidane once again. With no new signings made, it will be interesting to see exactly what the manager has in mind for the upcoming campaign.

Goalkeeper

Andriy Lunin has returned to the club after a couple of seasons on loan but he won’t be expecting to start against Real Sociedad. Just like with any of our backup goalkeepers, his debut will most likely come in the Copa del Rey. However, Thibaut Courtois will be starting as our new “Number 1” will want to build on his impressive performances of last season which saw him win the Zamora Trophy.

Defenders

Because of the lack of transfers, our main defenders aren’t going to change much. It looks like Zidane trust Alvaro Odriozola enough to keep him in the team after agreeing on his loan to Bayern Munich halfway through last season but it’s difficult to see anyone really replacing Dani Carvajal as the right-back.

In the center, we’ll see Raphael Varane start in his first match since his poor performance against Manchester City with our captain Sergio Ramos alongside him. On the left, it’s a coin-toss but I will go with Ferland Mendy to start this one. Could this be the season where Marcelo is slowly phased out? Unlikely under Zidane but as always with the manager, it all depends on performances on the pitch.

Midfielders

A guaranteed place has always been there and it will understandably continue to be there for Carlos Casemiro, who impressed tremendously last year. The Brazilian will definitely want to build on that. In front of him is where things could get slightly tricky since we have a new arrival to the team. I will take the risk and say that we’ll see Martin Odegaard take the pitch against his old team while Toni Kroos will be the third midfielder on the night. Just like it was a coin-toss between Mendy and Marcelo, the same could be said about Odegaard and Luka Modric.

Forwards

With Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard not expected to be called up for the game and Gareth Bale out on loan, it looks like we may see the Brazilian stars on the flanks. On the right, Rodrygo Goes could start and he has made it clear through his social media accounts that the past summer was spent strengthening his body to be better prepared for the physicality he witnessed over the last campaign.

On the left, our new “Number 20” Vinicius Junior could be given a chance to impress as well. Up front, can we really argue against Karim Benzema starting? The French striker is expecting to have another sensational season and there is very little doubt that he will deliver.

Full Starting Lineup

Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ferland Mendy, Carlos Casemiro, Martin Odegaard, Toni Kroos, Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema