Real Madrid will need to make some changes on La Liga’s Matchday 23 when they face Getafe at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. They are dealing with several injuries in their squad, and now superstar midfielder Toni Kroos is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card over the weekend against Huesca.
Kroos was brilliant at Huesca and in vintage form, creating chances galore and dictating play with precision. He has been one of the world’s best midfielders this season, no doubt, and his absence for Real Madrid vs. Getafe on Tuesday night will be a tough one for the home side, especially against a club that loves to press.
Real’s depth in midfield will be tested with Kroos out, and there are several possible solutions for Zinedine Zidane. Isco would usually be the most likely option, but he is a doubt to play after suffering an injury just before Saturday’s match at Huesca. And Fede Valverde is still out.
According to MARCA’s Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa, one surprising Kroos replacement option on Matchday 23 is left back Marcelo.
Antonio Blanco might be a better option for Real Madrid than Marcelo
The experienced Brazilian played well off the bench against Huesca after right back Alvaro Odriozola’s injury. Although he’s more of an attacking player and not a midfielder at all, he could be a fit on the left side of Real’s midfield in a pinch with Kroos out.
Antonio Blanco is an option if Zidane trusts the Castilla star. Blanco seems ready to get first-team minutes, and this could be a great opportunity for him. Martin Odegaard’s loan has left a space open for the youngster.
But Marcelo has the experience and trust advantage. Plus, he would not be stretched as much defensively in the midfield. Like Kroos does, he could simply focus on pressing, creating, and circulating the ball to help Real Madrid retain possession. These are all things the left back does well.
Isco and Blanco’s statuses should be monitored heading into Matchday 23, and they are the actual midfielders. But it sounds like we should not ignore Marcelo as a possible surprise option on the left side of a three-man Madrid midfield this Tuesday.