Atletico Madrid Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is the Madrid Derby against Atletico Madrid away from home in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in the Match day 26. The last Real Madrid game was against Real Sociedad which was an exciting game from the start but unfortunately was a hard fought draw. Without many key players it was a good game without the desirable result.

The team rating for the match against Sociedad can be found here: Team Rating

Right now Real are recovering as a side but need to win at any cost so that they are in the title race as the gap is already enough. 

Earlier the home game was a 2-0 win for Real. Last season the fixture was a 0-0 draw.

Looking at the

Injury list:

1. Carvajal
2. Ramos
3. Hazard

Suspended:

1. None

Just recovered:

1. Rodrygo
2. Odriozola
3. Valverde
4. Benzema
5. Marcelo
6. Militao

Practiced:

The rest of the players are available for selection. 

Skipped Practice:

• None

Coach Comments:

• Zidane: "We deserved a lot more, particularly when you look at the chances we created. We didn't put them away, especially in the first half and that could have changed the complexion of the game."

Other Comments:

• Vini:"We’re sad that we didn’t get the victory that we needed. We would have won all five matches going into the derby but we couldn't get that last one, it’s a draw. We have to continue working hard to achieve big things this season.

Squad Updates:

This will be the Thirty fifth game of the season and Real have been really inconsistent in their games and results, they have had 20 wins, 6 Draws and 8 losses. In the last several games the performance has dipped especially in attack and with this ailing squad things are getting complicated as injuries keep piling up.

Atletico is a good in attack but are strong in the defence, so Real will need to be careful in all departments.

In the goal Courtois will start, he has been in a good form. He has supported the defense really well but has not received the same from the team and more so with so many injuries in the defense.

Mendy should start on the left. As Ramos is out after surgery and Militao is just back. Nacho should get the nod ahead of all and Varane will start as the center backs. Carvajal is out again so Lucas Vazquez should fill in. So Mendy, Nacho, Varane and Lucas Vazquez should start.

Modric has been great and with Kroos playing really well both should start. So, Kroos, Casemiro and Modric should start. Isco, Arribas, Valverde and Blanco should start from the bench. 

The forwards have been poor all season, they have been wasting too many chances in front of the goal.  Hazard is out and Vinicius should start on the left. With Rodrygo playing well, he should get his chance ahead of Asensio. And Benzema should start upfront. 

As there are 5 substitutions available, ZZ should think for more rotations in the second half especially taking into consideration the team's fatigue and injuries.

The probable substitutions will be: 

Vinicius > Asensio

Modric > Valverde

Benzema > Hugo Duro/Mariano

Rodrygo > Isco

Mendy > Marcelo

So the formation would be 4 3 3.

The most probable kit to be used for the game will be the home kit!!!

So the final starting 11 will be:

Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against Atletico Madrid at home in the La liga match day 13. This is the first Madrid derby of the season. The last Real Madrid game was against Borussia Mönchengladbach which was great result after a good display in all the departments .

The team rating for the match against Borussia Mönchengladbach can be found here: Team Rating

This is the most important league match of the season. Real have no option but to win this.

Last year this fixture was a 1-0 win.

Looking at the

Injury list:

1. Mariano
2. Ødegaard
3. Hazard
4. Valverde
5. Jovic

Suspended:

1. None, Casemiro is on 4 yellow and has a chance of missing next game if he picks another yellow.

Just recovered:

1. Carvajal
2. Odriozola

Practiced:

The rest of the players are available for selection. 

Skipped Practice:

• None

Coach Comments:

• We did what was supposed to be done.

Other Comments:

• The team has the full defensive unit back.

Squad Updates:

This will be the eighteenth game of the season and Real have been inconsistent in their performances, they have 9 wins, 3 Draws and 5 losses. And in the last couple of games the performance levels have improved, Defense has been without errors. Earlier there were too many personal errors leading to goals and losses but now things have been better. Madrid would want to win this derby at any cost.

Atletico has a great attack and defense. So, Real will need to be solid in the defense and be sharper in attack.

In the goal Courtois will start, he has been in poor form and has been leaking goals in the last few games but have shown signs of improvement in the last couple of games. 

Mendy has to start on the left. Ramos and Varane will start as the center backs. And Carvajal will start on the right. So Mendy, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal should start. Defense has been in fine form for last two games. They need to be well coordinated against the attack of Atletico.

Modric has been exceptional in last few games, and is sure to start. Mid field has been better in the last few games even without Valverde. Kroos and Ødegaard have been sharp as well but both lacked fitness, which was evident in defending the counters leading to the goals. Real is getting the control back in the midfield and hope this progression continues. Modric, Casemiro, Kroos should start. Ødegaard and Isco will start from the bench, though it is a problematic situation for Ødegaard who has been out due to a minor injury.

The forwards have been better in the last game but otherwise they have been mis-firing and missing sitters. They have been creating chances but not finishing. Hazard is not available and Vinicius should start on the left, Benzema upfront and Rodrygo on the right. Lucas Vazquez, and Asensio should start from the bench.

As there are 5 substitutions available, ZZ should think for more rotations in the second half especially taking into consideration that the team's fitness.

The probable substitutions will be: 

Vinicius > Asensio

Modric > Ødegaard

Kroos > Isco

Mendy > Marcelo

Rodrygo > Lucas Vazquez

So the formation would be 4 3 3.

The most probable kit to be used for the game will be the home kit!!!

So the final starting 11 will be:

Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against Atletico Madrid at home in the La liga match day 22. 
Atletico are 5th on the leader-board and Real are top of the league. This is the El Derbi at Santiago Bernabeu and one of the most fiercest of rivalries, Madrid is not going to take any risks this time.

Looking at the 

Injury list:

1. Asensio
2. Hazard

Both Asensio and Hazard  have been injured for a long time now. And have not been practicing with the team. Both have started individual workouts now. We hope their recovery is faster and soon they start playing with the team.

Suspended:

1. None

Just recovered:

1. Bale

He has started practicing with the team but still a doubt to play as a starter.

Practiced:

Asensio and Hazard continue their recovery processes. Others are practicing with the team.

Skipped Practice:

None

Coach Comments:

• Defence has been doing good and is now our strength.

Other Comments:

• This is a crucial game and the team had a good outing in terms of goals in the Copa del Rey against a good rival.

Squad Updates:

This is a crucial game for the La liga title race.

In the goal Courtois will start and will start fresh after the rest during the Copa del Rey game, he had several good games in the past, things look definitely very positive for Courtois and Real Madrid.

Ramos and Varane will start as the center backs. Mendy will start on the left after the rest during the last game and Carvajal will start on the right. So Mendy, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal should start. Defence has been in good form and is expected to prevent the occasional errors those have led to the goals in the past games.

All the five super mid-fielders are doing great, Modric, Kroos, Valverde, Isco and Casemiro. It is a very difficult decision for ZZ. Taking the past game's rigor and current fitness level into considerations it is going to be Modric, Casemiro and Kroos in the middle. James and Valverde will be on the bench. And Isco will start in the attack.

As Hazard and Asensio have been injured and Bale is just recovered he would not start. After several injuries and returns it will be Benzema, Valverde and Isco to start. And Jovic, Vinicus and Lucas Vazquez should be on the bench. 

So the formation would be 4 3 3, with Isco and Valverde on the wings.

So the final starting 11 will be:

Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against Atletico Madrid at a neutral stadium in Saudi Arabia which is the Final of the Supercopa. Being the first final of the season this is very crucial, Madrid is not going to take any risks this time.

First I would like to see the 

Injury list:

1. Asensio
2. Hazard
3. Bale
4. Benzema

Suspended:

1. None 

Just recovered:

1. James
2. Marcelo
3. Lucas Vazquez

Practiced:

Asensio and Hazard continue with their recovery processes. Bale and Benzema have not traveled to Saudi Arabia for the tournament and should not feature in the final.

Skipped Practice:

None

Coach Comments:

• Nothing specific

Other Comments:

• Bale and Benzema are not traveling.

Squad Updates:

This is a crucial game for the Supercopa title, and it is a knockout game. Ramos is now available ,so Ramos and Varane should be seen in the starting 11 and as Marcelo had a muscular injury and just returned he was a bit scrappy and should not make into the starting line up.  So Mendy, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal will start. Defence has been good and expected to prevent the occasional errors those have led to the goals.

In the goal Courtois will start, having got a few good games in the past, things look definitely very positive.

All the four super mid-fielders are doing great, Modric, Kroos, Valverde and Casemiro. And now Isco is added to that, there are 5 options for available as starters. So, it is going to be Casemiro, Kroos and Valverde in the middle. And Modric and Isco will start on the flanks like they did in the Semi-final.

Isco will be seen as a starter on the attacking trident on the left flank instead of the mid field and Modric will start on the right.

As Hazard, Bale and Benzema have been injured Jovic, Vinicius and Rodrygo are the go to options. So, Isco, Jovic and Modric should start in absence of Bale and Benzema. And will have Mariano, Vinicius, James and Rodrygo as substitutes depending on the work rate of others.

So the final starting 11 will be:

Atletico Madrid Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is the 'El Derby' against the city rivals Atletico Madrid and away from home, currently they are 3rd on the leader-board and Madrid on top.

The point to note is Atleti has lost just one match this season.

First I would like to see the injury list:

1.     Asensio

2.     Mendy

Suspended:

1.     None

Just recovered:

1.     Marcelo (One training session with the group)

2.     Isco

3.     Modric

Practiced:

All except the injured lot.

Skipped Practice:

Rodrygo, trained with Castilla

Coach Comments:

•  Zidane: “You ask me about two players but what interests me is the group. Karim is important for the team, not just for his goals. Casemiro gives a lot of balance, but not only that. Everyone contributes something to the team in their own way on the field”
• On Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr., Zidane: “They’re completely different, but both are good. They play differently. They want to progress and improve. They are very young".
• Zidane: “Lucas Vázquez looks in great form to me, that’s for sure".
• Zidane: "Of course everyone’s expectations are high with Hazard. I don’t doubt him a second”
• Zidane: “Modric, Isco and Marcelo all feel better. We’ll see tomorrow”

Other Comments:

• Bale rested for Atletico clash this weekend, should be back
• Too early for Marcelo, Isco and Modric to start but should be seen as subs

As Mendy is injured and Marcelo has just returned with one practice session with the team under his belt, this could have Nacho in the starting line up. Rest of the defence will remain the same.

So, it will be either Marcelo/Nacho, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal. 
As Marcelo's injury was a sprain, I would start him instead of Nacho.

As Isco and Modric are clear choices for substitution having just recovered from injury.

So, mid-field will have Kroos, Casemiro and James. 

Hazard, Benzema and Bale should start. And will have Vinicius and Jovic as substitutes for Hazard and Benzema.

So the effective line up should be:

    

As Marcelo is not in the Squad Nacho is to start on the Left.