Zinedine Zidane will display a very unusual midfield line to face Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday. With Toni Kroos and Luka Modric on the sidelines, Casemiro and Mateo Kovacic are expected to feature from the start.
On the other hand, things will get back to normal in defence, as the French manager will recover Sergio Ramos, Daniel Carvajal and Marcelo. The Spanish defenders return from a one-match suspension, while the Brazilian has recovered from a calf injury.
Meanwhile, Gareth has also recovered from his injury and he had made it in the squad for the first time in seven days. He is not expected to play from the start, but he could get minutes of action in the second half.
Thus, the midfield line will most likely be formed by James Rodriguez, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic and Isco. Borja Mayoral could start again as Cristiano Ronaldo’s forward partner.
The main doubt is whether Pepe or Raphael Varane will start at centre-back alongside Sergio Ramos. The Portuguese has been Zidane’s usual choice when he has been fit, so he has more chances of starting.
This is Real Madrid’s projected starting eleven: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; James Rodriguez, Casemiro, Kovacic, Isco; Mayoral, Ronaldo.
Celta will miss defenders Cabral and Fontas. Hugo Mallo and Sergi Gomez will replace them.
This is Celta Vigo’s projected starting eleven: Alvarez; Planas, Mallo, Gomez, Jonny; Wass, Hernandez, Diaz, Orellana; Aspas, Nolito.
