Real Madrid visit San Sebastian this evening to take on Real Sociedad at Anoeta.
It’s been a big week for Los Blancos, who will play their first game since the departures of Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso – two players who formed a key part of the team that brought so much success last years in in recent years.
But manager Carlo Ancelotti still has plenty of options at his disposal, even if he still wants to dip into the transfer market before it closes on Wednesday. The major doubt is Cristiano Ronaldo, who could sit out the game as Los Blancos and Portugal give him a two-week break from football to recover properly from his various niggles.
James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos should start in midfield for Los Blancos, while Isco could step in should Ronaldo not play.
Real will be looking to take off from where they left off against Real Sociedad. Last season in the two league fixtures against them the European Champions netted nine times. And the hosts come into today’s game on the back of a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Russian outfit Krasnodar in the Europa League.
Alfred Finnbogason, Ion Ansotegi and Jon Gaztanaga could all be missing for the home side, but Carlos Vela is expected to be fit.
Possible Line-Ups:
Real Sociedad: Zubikarai, Carlos Martinez, Yuri, Inigo Martinez, Xabi Prieto, Granero, Elustondo, Vela, Bergara, Agirretxe, Canales
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa; Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric; Bale, James, Isco; Benzema
