Skip to main content

Real Madrid missing two players for Mallorca clash


 Real Madrid will be without the services of Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba for Saturday's La Liga clash with Mallorca, but Rodrygo has been declared fit after a fitness scare.

Courtois and Alaba remain absent due to knee injuries, but Los Blancos are otherwise in strong shape, with Vinicius Junior back in a league squad, having missed out against Athletic Bilbao through suspension.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make changes to his XI following Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City, with the second leg due to take place next week.

Rodrygo had emerged as a doubt for the game with Mallorca when he was unable to train on Friday due to a knock, but the Brazil international has been named in the squad.

Eder Militao is being tipped to make just his second start of the campaign and his first since damaging his ACL last August against Athletic Bilbao.

Should the centre-back come through the clash with Mallorca unscathed, he could start against Man City next week, as Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended for the return game in Manchester.

"The whole squad will be available and the priority is tomorrow, not Manchester. We have a lot at stake, but like all teams. We remain confident and tomorrow is vital," Ancelotti told reporters during his press conference.

"I repeat what I said: they are all available and tomorrow I will put out the best team. Militao is also available."

Militao in line for a start against Mallorca
Ancelotti has confirmed that he is considering starting Militao in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final, with the Italian having no concerns over the length of the defender's absence.

"It's a thought we have in our heads, but if I see a player well, I don't think about the minutes he's played or the time he's been out," said the Italian on Friday when questioned on the South American.

"I put someone in a Champions League final who was coming off injury and I did it because I saw him well. The question is whether he is available."

Nacho, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia, Luka Modric, Dani Ceballos, Arda Guler, Joselu and Brahim Diaz are among those pushing for starts this weekend, and a win for Real Madrid against Mallorca would allow them to open up an 11-point lead at the top of the La Liga table.

Real Madrid squad vs. Mallorca:

Lunin, Kepa, Mario de Luis; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Vazquez, F Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy; Bellingham, Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Guler; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Preview: Chelsea vs. Manchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Two faltering Premier League giants under immense pressure and at risk of failing to achieve their respective European targets will lock horns on Thursday night, as Chelsea play host to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The West Londoners will be seeking revenge against the Red Devils after they lost 2-1 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in December. Match preview Chelsea were dealt a fresh blow in their quest to secure European football for next season after they were pegged back twice to draw 2-2 at home to the 10 men of relegation-threatened Burnley last weekend. After Cole Palmer had his first-half opener - scored just moments after Lorenz Assignon was sent off for Burnley - cancelled out just two minutes after the interval by Josh Cullen, the Chelsea star netted a second to put the Blues back in front on the 78-minute mark. However, Dara O'Shea had the last laugh for the Clarets as he headed home Cullen's corner just three minutes later to rescue a valuable point ...

Preview: Plymouth Argyle vs. Leicester City - prediction, team news, lineups

Leicester City make the long trip to Plymouth Argyle on Friday evening knowing that they need to get back to winning ways in the Championship. At a time when the Foxes remain with their automatic-promotion fate in their own hands, their hosts sit in 20th position in the standings. Match preview With their fate continuing to remain in their own hands, Enzo Maresca cannot have too many complaints with where Leicester find themselves at this stage of the season. That said, Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Millwall was their fifth loss in nine Championship fixtures, having succumbed just four times in their opening 32 such outings. Off-the-field pressures may have played their part, yet it could just be mental fatigue from remaining on top throughout the campaign without getting over the line. Leicester somehow remain with the best away record in the division, collecting 42 points from 21 fixtures, but they have accumulated just one point from games at Hull City, Bristol City and Millwall. Mare...

Preview: Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace - prediction, team news, lineups

  Aiming to regain a lead at the summit of the Premier League table as the title race heats up, Liverpool will welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield on Sunday. A draw with Manchester United last weekend saw the hosts fall behind Arsenal on goal difference with seven top-flight games remaining this term, while their visitors sit 14th amidst a five-match winless streak. Match preview Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday with the aim of retaking the lead in what is shaping up to be a historic Premier League title race, in their bid to win the top flight for the second time under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp before his departure at the end of the season. Indeed, the Reds have held a strong position for almost the entirety of the campaign thus far, maintaining a top-two place since November and building a slender lead over Arsenal and defending champions Manchester City. After moving just ahead of their two title rivals with a seven-match unbeaten streak, in which they picked...