Real Madrid return to Champions League action tonight as they face Union Berlin at the Santiago Bernabeu, but they may now be forced to rotate the squad.
There is something of an injury crisis going on at the club, with Dani Carvajal now joining Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior on the sidelines, and with the fixtures piling up, the depth of the squad is set to be tested.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have won all their La Liga games so far, coming from behind to beat Getafe and Real Sociedad in the last two matches, and will face a different type of test in the Champions League against Bundesliga opposition.
Union Berlin may be underdogs but they should not be underestimated, and Carlo Ancelotti will look to pick a strong side for the opening group game.
Who will start for Real Madrid in the Champions League?
There will likely be minimal unforced changes to the backline. Whilst defender Nacho may be pushing for a start, the first-choice partnership of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba is likely to continue.
Veteran Lucas Vazquez looks set to start in place of the injured Carvajal. The 32-year-old is yet to start this season, having appeared off the bench three times, and is the natural replacement at right-back.
In midfield, there could be several changes. Whilst Ancelotti has used his younger options in Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham in most La Liga games, he has confirmed that Luka Modric will start in the middle against Union Berlin.
Ancelotti may be tempted to use both Modric and Toni Kroos as two Champions League veterans, but will likely just use one from the start with younger legs around him.
Real Madrid predicted XI vs Union Berlin: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Fran Garcia; Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu.