Real Madrid Vs Valencia: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against Valencia at home in the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in the La Liga match day 23. The last Real Madrid game was against Getafe which was a decent play after a makeshift team with players playing on unrecognized positions started clicking in the second half. After scoring the goal they looked very comfortable.

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

Right now Real need to win at any cost so that they get their respect back and take revenge of last time around, and the gap at the top is already huge. 

Earlier in the season Valencia won 4-1 but there were several controversies in the game. Last year Real won this fixture 3-0

Looking at the

Injury list:

1. Rodrygo
2. Ramos
3. Hazard
4. Odriozola
5. Marcelo
6. Militao

Suspended:

1. None

Just recovered:

1. Carvajal
2. Isco
3. Lucas Vazquez
4. Valverde

Practiced:

The rest of the players are available for selection. 

Skipped Practice:

• None

Coach Comments:

• Zidane: "It’s a good win. It’s two wins in a row and we all needed it."

Other Comments:

• Benzema post-game: "That was a good goal. Good croos from Vini and it ended up at the back of the net. We played with a lot of belief and it's always a difficult game vs Getafe. We just have to be concentrated on our game, there's still a long way to go."

Squad Updates:

This will be the Thirty first game of the season and Real have been fairly inconsistent in their games and results, they have had 17 wins, 5 Draws and 8 losses. In the last several matches the performance has dipped and with this thin squad things are getting complicated as injuries keep piling.  

Valencia is having their own struggle.

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 treatment from the team.

Mendy should start on the left. As Ramos is out after surgery Militao might return but Nacho should get the nod ahead of him and Varane will start as the center backs. Carvajal should be fit by this week's game, he should start on the right. So Mendy, Nacho, Varane and Carvajal should start. But if Carvajal is taken out due to relapse of the injury, it would be Mendy, Nacho, Varane and Marvin.

Modric has been a bit off his usual best and with Kroos returning after his suspension both should start. So, Kroos, Casemiro and Modric should start. Marvin, Isco, Arribas, Lucas Vazquez and Valverde should start from the bench. 

The forwards have been poor all season, they have been spurning chances in front of the goal. With some improvements in the last game the forwards will look for continuity. Hazard is out and Vinicius should start on the left. Asensio should start on the Right and Benzema upfront. So Lucas Vazquez and Mariano 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 the team's fatigue.

The probable substitutions will be: 

Asensio > Lucas Vazquez

Modric > Blanco/Arribas

Carvajal > Marvin

Benzema > Mariano

Vinicius > Arribas

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:

Valencia Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match against Valencia is an away game in the La liga match day 9. Real Madrid will play their fifth away match of the season. The last Real Madrid game was against Inter Milan which was a good fighting win, this was not one of the better performances of the team but there were sparks of good in all departments. 

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

With so many games coming back to back Real have no option but to win this for themselves and to keep their title chance alive by gaining some confidence back.

Last year this fixture was a 1-1 draw.

Looking at the

Injury list:

1. Casemiro
2. Hazard 
3. Militao
4. Carvajal
5. Odriozola

Suspended:

1. None

Just recovered:

1. Ødegaard

Practiced:

The rest of the players are available for selection. 

Skipped Practice:

• None

Coach Comments:

• To be updated

Other Comments:

• With no regular right back option available junior squad members are also possible to be included. Odriozola is very close to return to action.

Squad Updates:

This will be the Eleventh game of the season and Real have been inconsistent in their performances. Forwards are mis-firing, defence is in disarray, and mid field is getting better but still not at par with the quality they have. This game is very important and would decide who would remain on the top of the table. Madrid needs to win this at any cost.

Valencia has a good attack and their counters are great. So, Real will have to be very careful.

In the goal Courtois will start, he has been leaking goals in the last few games even though his form has been good. 

Mendy has to start on the left.  Ramos and Varane will start as the center backs, there is no doubt in it. Carvajal and Odriozola both suffered injuries and now Lucas Vazquez should be the favorite to start on the right. So Mendy, Varane, Ramos and Lucas Vazquez should start. Defence has been in shambles for some time, they need to be more structured.

Modric has been good and after playing only 20 minutes in the last game should be favorite to start. Mid field has been better in the last few games but still needs more cohesion. Real needs to get the control back. It will be the mix of guards again. Valverde, Kroos and Modric will start. And Ødegaard, and Isco will start from the bench.

The forwards have been mis-firing for the second season now. Benzema has been better now. Vinicius is the only one who shows some promise and Hazard has returned good too. Now that Hazard is unavailable due to Covid, he would start let Vinicius on the left and Benzema upfront, and Rodrygo should start on the right providing some rest to Asensio, who has been good technically but had not had the expected impact.

As there are 5 substitutions available, ZZ should think for more rotations in the second half.

The probable substitutions will be: 

Rodrygo > Asensio

Modric > Ødegaard

Valverde > Isco

Mendy > Marcelo

Benzema > Jovic, seems very unlikely though

So the formation would be 4 3 3.

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

So the final starting 11 will be:

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:

Valencia Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against Valencia at a neutral stadium in Saudi Arabia which is the Semi Final of the Supercopa, currently they are at 6th and Real are 2nd on the leader-board. Being a semi final 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

Suspended:

1. None 

Just recovered:

1. James
2. Marcelo
3. Lucas Vazquez

Practiced:

Asensio and Hazard continue with their recovery processes. James, Marcelo and Lucas Vazquez are back with the team.

Skipped Practice:

None

Coach Comments:

• Nothing specific

Other Comments:

• Bale and Benzema are not traveling.

Squad Updates:

Update: No Bale or Benzema in the traveling squad. Reason for the missing stars is injury to both, making them unavailable for the games.

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 should make into the starting line up.  So Marcelo, 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 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 three starters. So, it is going to be Casemiro, Kroos and Valverde. Modric will come as a substitute as he has played the full la liga game. Isco will be seen as a starter on the attacking trident on the left flank instead of the mid field.

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

So the final starting 11 will be:

Valencia Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against Valencia away from home, currently they are at 8th and Real are 2nd on the leader-board. With equal points with Barcelona Madrid is not going to take any risks this time again.

First I would like to see the 

Injury list:

1. Asensio
2. Lucas Vazquez
3. Hazard
4. Marcelo

Suspended:

1. Mendy 

Just recovered:

1. Nacho, James

Practiced:

Asensio, Hazard and Lucas Vázquez continue with their recovery processes. James combined work in the gym and out on the pitch. Bale is back with the team.

Skipped Practice:

None

Coach Comments:

• Nothing specific

Other Comments:

• With the rest given to Bale, it is time for him to start.

Squad Updates:

This is a crucial game for La Liga title race, with all the teams neck to neck. With Varane back playing regularly we will have him in the starting 11 and as Marcelo has a muscular injury he should miss and Mendy has a red card so Nacho should start. Odriozola played during the mid-week game in Champions league and so it provided much needed rest to Carvajal. So Nacho, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal will start, more so with the great work over the past few games by the defence.

In the goal Courtois will start, having got some rest with Areola playing one game, things look definitely positive.

All the four super mid-fielders are doing great, Modric, Kroos, Valverde and Casemiro. As Casemiro is on 4 yellow cards, he will be rested and try to be available for El clasico. So, it is going to be Valverde, Kroos and Modric. 

Isco has played during the Brugge game and will make way for Bale, Isco will be seen as a substitute and Casemiro for Modric or Kroos depending on the score line.

As Lucas Vazquez and James have been injured and Vinicius has played full 90 minutes, he should rest. So, Bale, Benzema and Rodrygo should start. and will have Vinicius, Brahim and Jovic as substitutes depending on the work rate of others.

So the final starting 11 will be: