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Real Madrid Starting XI Prediction vs. Atletico Madrid for LaLiga’s Matchday 35

By Kevin Parvizi

Real Madrid, Rodrygo Goes (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Real Madrid, Rodrygo Goes (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga
Real Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga (Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

CM Toni Kroos

Dani Ceballos looked locked in to start given his form and the fact that Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and Luka Modric would all ideally be rested against Atletico Madrid. However, Ceballos picked up an injury just before the game, which is a tough blow for him in his current form, as a start in El Derbi could have been vital for both him and the club.

Isco would have been the next option to rest the main midfielders at Real Madrid, but he is not feeling well himself and will be out. Thus, Eduardo Camavinga starts as the 8 on the left-hand side.

When it comes to enhancing reputations, perhaps nobody has done more in midfield recently to do that than Eduardo Camavinga. After outclassing Chelsea’s midfielder to help Real Madrid close out a successful Champions League quarterfinal, Camavinga sealed his spot as a world-class 19-year-old center midfielder with an equally convincing display during the Remontada against Manchester City this past Wednesday night.

Camavinga is not a defensive midfielder, but he can succeed as one, which has been the case this season.

DM Casemiro

Casemiro could use the rest, but with Isco and Ceballos out, he starts in the defensive midfield and Camavinga as one of the 8’s with Fede Valverde. He is the one who can afford to start the most and would be the most important against Atleti in a game like this. Casemiro has come up massive in so many Derbis.

CM Fede Valverde

And look for the biggest standout of KCM this season, Luka Modric, to finally get some rest as well. Fede Valverde has gone under the radar with Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga soaking up obvious plaudits in recent weeks, but the Uruguayan has been just as instrumental to the Merengues’ success of late.

Whether on the right wing or the right side of the midfield, Valverde offers a two-way presence and grit that cannot be replicated in the Real Madrid squad. He has been massive in past Derbis, including an unforgettable Supercup display.

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