Good news for Zinedine Zidane. The manager could count on Raphael Varane for the game against Real Sociedad on Sunday and now he could train with James Rodríguez and Pepe. Both of them should be available for the trip to Vigo on Sunday evening, whereas Modric had to train apart and he’s still a major doubt.
Toni Kroos won’t be available for the game because he’s suspended after seeing the fifth yellow card this season. Therefore, it’d be very important if Luka Modric could play the game. Together with Mateo Kovacic and Casemiro, Modric could be in the line-up in the midfield. However, the Croatian couldn’t train on Tuesday with his team mates and he’s still a major doubt.
However, as usual, Zidane won’t risk with the Croatian midfielder. Luka Modric got injured on the 18th of January in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey against Celta de Vigo. He missed the home games in La Liga against Málaga and Real Sociedad and the clash in Vigo in Copa del Rey. Only two weeks later, he could be back with the team.
James Rodríguez has been out of the team more time. The Colombian playmaker started the year with a great performance against Sevilla in Copa del Rey, where he scored a brace. However, the Colombian got injured afterwards in the calf and when he was getting ready, he had the same injury in the other leg. Luckily, he could be back to fight with Isco for a place in the starting eleven.
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Good news! @jamesdrodriguez and @officialpepe returned to train with the group at #RMCity today! ????#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/HYgJ1Zaegq— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 31, 2017
In the defense line, Zinedine Zidane can recover Pepe. The Portuguese full back hasn’t played any game since December, before travelling to Japan. The defender has been out of the team since then, and receiving tempting offers from China. With Carvajal and Marcelo injured, it’s very important for Zizou to recover Pepe, a key player last season despite of his age.
After the victory against Real Sociedad in La Liga, Real Madrid opened a 4 points gap with Barcelona and Sevilla, with one game still to be played against Valencia. Los Blancos travel to Celta de Vigo in the middle of the semifinals of the Copa del Rey. Therefore, the Galician team should be more focused in the tie against Alavés rather than in the game in La Liga.
