Real Madrid are now fully focused on their upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Atalanta after Zinedine Zidane fielded a changed lineup in the team that beat Elche over the weekend. With Los Merengues up 1-0 from the first-leg thanks to a goal by Ferland Mendy, they’ll have the upper leg in this match but cannot take anything for granted against an Atalanta side that will surely give them a lot more problems than they did the first time around.
Goalkeeper
In every game, Thibaut Courtois finds a way to be decisive with some phenomenal saves that somehow keep Real Madrid in the game. His brilliance will be relied on once again on Tuesday night as the Belgian will want to continue showing that he is one of the best in the world.
Defenders
With our captain back after successfully completing 60 minutes against Elche, things could be a little different in this game. It looks like Zidane is comfortable giving Nacho Fernandez a chance as right-back instead of Lucas Vazquez while the center partnership of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos is expected to return. On the left, the goalscorer from the first-leg will want to find ways to make a difference once again as Ferland Mendy will be chosen to start on the night.
Midfielders
Things get a little tricky for Zidane here because we have all seen how much he relies on Carlos Casemiro, who will not be available this time around due to suspension. The question then focuses on how will he replace the absence of our only natural defensive midfielder and our second-highest scorer in the league.
All signs seem to point towards Federico Valverde who isn’t exactly a Casemiro replacement, but he’s pretty much the closest you can get to that in our squad. In front of him will be Toni Kroos and Luka Modric who will be tasked with more defensive duties than they’re used to in order to cover for the absence of the Brazilian.
Forwards
If the front three of our team against Elche is anything to go by, it looks like Zidane has already picked his forwards for the match against Atalanta. On the right, Marco Asensio is expecting to start and he will need a lot of improvement from the past couple of months.
On the left, all signs point to Rodrygo Goes who was a true difference-maker in the match against Elche. It’s still too early for us to see Eden Hazard start but he will surely get some minutes. Up front, the brilliant Karim Benzema will be starting the game and he’ll want to be as decisive as he has been over the past couple of matches (and in fairness, a lot more).
Full Predicted Lineup
Thibaut Courtois, Nacho Fernandez, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ferland Mendy, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, Rodrygo Goes, Karim Benzema