Real Madrid Vs Valencia: The Starting 11

Before going into the next match I will rate the performance of players in the last game vs Eibar.

1. Benzema: 8/10, A complete game without the goal, very nice control and link up play. This was the kind of display everyone expects of him, if he is not scoring. 
2. Rodrygo: 6.5/10, The runs and link up play was great, should create more space but nothing to complain as such, far better option than Bale at the moment.
3. Hazard: 8/10, Very elegant performance, tried to create more but first game after the return was good in so many ways. If he continues like this he will be a genuine goal threat and would draw at least two defenders away. One assist was to show but should have been more. 
4. Kroos: 8.5/10, Score early with a perfect shot. Seemed the one to orchestrate the game along with the midfield partners.  
5. Casemiro: 7.5/10, Was forceful in the play and left his mark without much struggle .
6. Modric: 7.5/10, Good game and a lot of lungs in the first half. Second half was bad but overall play was not bad.
7. Marcelo: 7.5/10, Did okay defensively but the goal was nice. Had good coordination with Ramos on most occasions. 
8. Ramos: 8.5/10, Was solid defensively and went ahead to score a great counter attacking goal.
9. Varane: 7.5/10, Was solid and prevented several chances.
10. Carvajal: 7/10, He did his bit, solid defensively and good going forward.
11. Courtois: 8/10, Overall good performance, goal was a deflection, little could be done about it. Otherwise very good outing.
12. Militao: 6.5/10, defensively not as good as Ramos but was effective.
13. Valverde: 6.5/10, Did very less after the substitution. 
14. Mendy: 6.5/10, Came in the 2nd half but was fine while playing out of position. Second half play in general was bad and he could not do anything to improve it.
15. Vinicius: 6/10, Tried to play his heart out, but did not get enough support.
16. Bale: 3.5/10, He seemed lacking confidence and did not even try hard enough.
17. ZZ: 7.5/10, Good decisions throughout, playing Mendy on the right was difficult but given the team was 3-0 up in the first half eased his decisions.

La Liga Title Prediction: CLICK HERE

The upcoming match is against Valencia at home in the La liga match day 29. Valencia are 7th on the leader-board and Real are 2nd and 2 points behind Barcelona on the league table. This game is one of the most important game to have any chance in the league, Madrid can not take any risks at all and have to win at any cost if they want to remain in contention, more so with football coming back after a break.

Real Madrid had drawn 1-1 away at Valencia in the first leg.

Looking at the 

Injury list:

1. Nacho
2. Jovic
3. Lucas Vazquez
4. Mariano

Suspended:

1. None

Just recovered:

1. Asensio
2. Bale
3. Hazard

Practiced:

Bale had some issues but is now back for full training with the team.

Skipped Practice:

• None

Coach Comments:

• To be updated. 

Other Comments:

• Carvajal is supposed to be fit for the game, after being subbed due to injury.

Squad Updates:

This is a crucial game for the league title as with 2 points gap it is still under sight, it can not get wider if we need to wait for Barcelona's mistakes.

In the goal Courtois will start, should be a no-brainer.

Ramos and Varane will start as the center backs. Marcelo will start on the left and will provide better attacking option and Carvajal will start on the right. So Marcelo, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal should start. Defence has to be particularly alert, there has been occasional lapses causing goals.

All the mid-fielders are available but all are not dependable on most days, too much problem in consistency. It is a very difficult decision for ZZ to pick the three. There has been lack of any consistency in the last few games but looking at the next game, it is going to be Modric, Casemiro and Valverde in the middle. Kroos, Isco and James will be on the bench. With matches coming thick and fast these substitutions will be key to fitness.

As Asensio and Hazard have returned in prime shape, all are available now. So it should also be a tough decision. Ideally it should be HBR again, Hazard, Benzema and Rodrygo. And Bale, Vinicius and Asensio should be on the bench.

As now 5 substitutions are available, this is a great time to rotate the squad for ZZ.

The probable substitutions will be: 

Rodrygo > Bale

Hazard > Vinicius

Mendy > Marcelo

Modric > Kroos

Valverde > Isco

Benzema > Asensio

Ramos > Militao

So the formation would be 4 3 3.

So the final starting 11 will be: