Rodrygo Goes and Trent Alexander-Arnold will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup when they face Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecas on Sunday.
Real Madrid will be eager to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecas on Sunday evening. Xabi Alonso has a new injury concern to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Aurelien Tchouameni is the latest absentee after picking up a hamstring injury that will keep him in the treatment room for the foreseeable future. The French international has joined Antonio Rudiger (hamstring), Dani Carvajal (knee), David Alaba (calf), and Franco Mastantuono (pubic issue) on the sidelines, with the quintet not in the travelling squad.
However, David Alaba is in the travelling squad to take on Rayo Vallecano, with the Austrian international in contention to face the home side. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Alonso provided a fitness update on Trent Alexander-Arnold. He also heaped praise on Federico Valverde and discussed the possibility of Rodrygo playing on the right flank.
The Real Madrid manager said, “He’s ready, he’s been training for a couple of weeks and tomorrow you’ll know if he’s starting or not.”
“Due to the circumstances, he played at full-back and did very well. We know how flexible, capable and willing Fede is, he’s always ready to help the team and he’s an option we have in the short and medium term. Yes, it’s a possibility. Rodrygo can play on both wings. In fact, he’s done it a lot; he can even play in the centre. It’s a possibility we have.”
Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. The backline will feature Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, and Fran Garcia, with Alvaro Carreras getting some rest.
As for the midfield unit, Federico Valverde will return to the middle of the park, joining Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham in the central areas. Finally, Kylian Mbappe will lead the line for the away side against Rayo Vallecano, with Vincius Junior and Rodrygo being the two wide attackers.
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Predicted XI
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Garcia; Valverde, Guler, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior