R.Sociedad – R.Madrid: headlong into the Champions League
A high-profile confrontation in the fiefdom of churi urdin, which has been somewhat choked up for the merengue team in recent years: in their last five visits to San Sebastian, they only returned to the capital twice with three points. All this combined with Real Madrid’s need to add three to three in the fight to repeat European qualification and the mind of a Madrid man who will be more focused on the Champions League semi-final than the almost completed Leaguemakes this match a very attractive matchup.
A week of light and darkness in Zubieta, with the return, on the one hand, of Brace Mendez to training with the rest of his teammates and his subsequent entry into the squad, and today it became known about a muscle injury to Kieran Tierney, which will again have to be stopped. This defeat will join the already established Aichen Munoz, Hamari Traore and Carlos Fernandez.
The good news for Imanol Alguacil comes with the Z men. And so it is. Martin Zubimendi and Igor Zubeldia will be available again after serving his suspension in the last league match against Getafe. Since Real were promoted to the first division in 2010, the Merengues have played 13 matches in San Sebastian: eight of them were Real wins, two were draws and three were local victories.
Eleven points clear of Barcelona and 18 to go means Real Madrid can afford to downplay the importance of the always difficult visit to San Sebastian. Carlo Ancelotti measures the physical condition of his players in detail to determine his rotation. Leaving Jude Bellingham already at home. Without forcing Ferland Mendy. The first two began to get rest. And there will be more of them.
Madrid coach emphasizes importance maintain the good momentum that brings Real Madrid closer to the title league with pre-planned tournament end dates. Just one defeat in the entire La Liga, from Civitas Metropolitano, knowing how poorly they are digested in the White House. With the desire that nothing should disturb the good harmony with which its players are approaching the end of the season with the possibility of winning two major titles.
Included in the Champions list following the elimination of defending champions Manchester City, next Tuesday’s match in Germany against Bayern Munich is a priority. Carletto’s changes could start in goal with the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga after three months without playing after losing in a fight with Andrey Lunin. It looks set to be his last game as Thibaut Courtois is already waiting his turn to make his desired return after recovering from a second knee injury.
Dani Carvajal’s suspension, which will prevent him from playing in the first episode against Bayern, could allow him to be present at the start at the Real Arena in a defense in which Rüdiger could rest and Eder Militao could start for the first time since a serious knee injury. He needs minutes of action and he can find them with Nacho Fernandez as his partner and Fran Garcia coming into the left lane.
Fede Valverde and Toni Kroos are among the players who need a break in midfield. The physique of Aurélien Cioaumeni and Eduardo Camavinga becomes Ancelotti’s bet to add the quality of Luka Modric and the presence of Brahim Diaz in midfield, leaving Vinicius Junior in attack with Joselu Mato. Rodrigo, with the flu process, will not force it.