Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Atletico Madrid: A Derby ‘Final’?
Real Madrid prepare to take on Atletico Madrid for the second time this season as they currently find themselves 5 points behind the leaders (who still have a game-in-hand) and tied with Barcelona on points. Los Merengues were hoping to come into this game with a smaller gap but after coming out with a draw against Real Sociedad, this game has become even more of a must-win as the team will be going out there and treating it like a final.
Goalkeeper
He didn’t have the best of games against Real Sociedad but Thibaut Courtois will hope to be at his very best when he takes on his former team. The Belgian goalkeeper can’t be blamed for the conceded goal but he didn’t look too comfortable on the night and we have become very used to him exuding confidence throughout the season so far.
Defenders
Not many changes will be expected here even with the return of Marcelo and Alvaro Odriozola. On the right, it seems as though Zinedine Zidane trusts Lucas Vazquez more than Odriozola and therefore he’ll be the one to start while Raphael Varane and Nacho Fernandez continue their great partnership in defense.
On the left, Ferland Mendy will want to come out with a similar performance to the one we witnessed against Atalanta and less of what we saw when he took on Real Sociedad. The manager has been mixing things around slightly in recent months and the idea of him playing with a three-man defense is definitely on the table but don’t expect him to take that risk due to the threat that Atletico Madrid poses.
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Midfielders
Nothing surprising is expected from Zidane here as Carlos Casemiro will be chosen to start in defensive midfield while going forward whenever he is able to. The Brazilian has been finding chances to take shots on goal recently, which is definitely something Zidane has been working on as we have seen it increase.
Casemiro is now the second-highest goalscorer in the league for Real Madrid and he will surely have opportunities on Sunday night as well. In front of him will be the magnificent partnership of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
Federico Valverde has returned to the team and saw some minutes against Real Sociedad but he won’t be expecting to start this game. However, we may see the Uruguayan midfielder at some point during the second 45 minutes.
Forwards
The front three is where things could get a little interesting. Zidane has shown unshakeable faith in Marco Asensio but may finally decide to start the Spaniard from the bench and go with Rodrygo Goes on the right wing.
Rodrygo returned from a long injury this week and was impressive against Real Sociedad as he has yet again proven that he’s the best right winger we have in the team. On the left, Vinicius Junior should be returning to the lineup after being benched in the last league game but came on to mark his 100th Real Madrid appearance with a late equalizer. Up front, we continue to pray to see Karim Benzema return from injury. If not, then expect Isco to be placed as a false-nine. Mariano Diaz simply isn’t good enough to do the job.
Next. Real Madrid: 3 key battles to watch at Atleti on Matchday 26. dark
Full Predicted Lineup
Thibaut Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ferland Mendy, Carlos Casemiro, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema