Real Madrid are set to face Real Sociedad tonight, in their toughest test of the season so far.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have won every game so far despite an injury crisis which currently means Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior are all unavailable.
Real Madrid have not been fully convincing in their victories, with a last-minute winner from Jude Bellingham securing a victory over Getafe in the last game, and will hope for a strong performance against tough opposition today.
It seems likely that Ancelotti will not shuffle his pack too much, but one change could be made in midfield with Fede Valverde coming in for Luka Modric.
Real Madrid’s first-choice midfield quartet now appears to be the four young superstars who are set to be key stars for years to come, in Aurelien Tchouameni, Valverde, Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga, meaning veterans Modric and Kroos will both have to settle for the bench.
The midfield of the future
Both Modric and Kroos still have a lot of quality but do not have the legs to start every week now. The young quartet has a near-perfect mix of defensive solidity, creativity and attacking threat, and Valverde is an important part of the side.
Valverde has been described as “complete,” and alongside the others, could form part of what is arguably the best midfield in the world.
Given the injuries elsewhere, it seems unlikely that other changes will be made despite Dani Ceballos returning to the bench after his injury, and Ancelotti will continue with the new-look diamond midfield formation with two strikers.
It promises to be a tough game at the Santiago Bernabeu, and after Barcelona’s victory over Real Betis yesterday, a win will be crucial in the La Liga title race.
Real Madrid predicted XI vs Real Sociedad: Kepa; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Fran Garcia; Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham; Joselu, Rodrygo.