Xabi Alonso will reshuffle his team’s defensive unit due to injuries and suspension when Real Madrid and Kairat Almaty clash at Ortalyq Stadion on Tuesday.
Real Madrid will aim to return to winning ways and go to the top of the UEFA Champions League standings when they lock horns with Kairat Almaty at Ortalyq Stadion on Tuesday evening. Xabi Alonso has new roster issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Dani Carvajal will serve a suspension after being sent off against Marseille on Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League. Additionally, Eder Militao picked up a knock this past weekend against Atletico Madrid, and the Brazilian international has missed out on a place in the travelling squad.
The defensive duo has joined Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, and Ferland Mendy on the sidelines. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Alonso did not provide fitness updates on any player. However, the Spanish tactician responded to a question on possible rotations against Kairat Almaty for the midweek UEFA Champions League tie.
The Real Madrid manager said, “There will be eleven players out on the pitch, and those eleven players are all at Real Madrid. It’ll be a competitive side against a team who are playing in the competition for the first time, but they’re disciplined and won’t make life easy for us.”
Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, and the away side will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Kairat Almaty at Ortalyq Stadion on Tuesday evening. The backline will witness multiple changes due to the absence of Carvajal and Militao.
Carvajal’s absence compels Alonso to utilise a makeshift right-back, with Raul Asencio and Federico Valverde being his options for the position. Asencio should get the nod, with Valverde retaining his place in the middle of the park. The former will line up alongside Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, and Fran Garcia in the Real Madrid backline.
As for the midfield unit, Valverde will pair up with Aurelien Tchouameni in the double pivot, with Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga being backup options on the bench. Arda Guler will reprise the no. 10 role, with Vinicius Junior and Franco Mastantuono being the two wide attackers. Finally, Kylian Mbappe will lead the line for Los Blancos against Kairat Almaty.
Kairat Almaty vs Real Madrid Predicted XI
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni; Mastantuono, Guler, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe