Real Madrid host Celta de Vigo this Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu, starting at 9:00 p.m. (Movistar LaLiga). The white team will play again in their stadium 560 days after their last match there, a Classic in which they beat Barcelona 2-0, with goals from Vinicius and Mariano, days before the state of alarm was declared by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For this game, Ancelotti will have to form an eleven of guarantees, counting on the casualties he has and with the exhaustion that some of the Madrid players bring from the national team break, especially the South Americans. Saturday only brought bad news to the coach: Bale was injured during training and both Alaba and Jovic could not exercise, the first due to an overload (it is not serious, he does not play as a precaution) and the second due to gastroenteritis. All three were left out of the call.
Thus, with the available footballers, Ancelotti will form an eleven that could be composed of Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Marcelo; Valverde, Casemiro, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema and Hazard or Vinicius. In defense, the loss of Alaba gives the title to Nacho and Militao, with Vallejo on the bench. On the left side, Ancelotti could choose Marcelo or Miguel Gutiérrez, but it is likely that the first white captain will start; he has been exercising the entire break in Valdebebas and Carletto you'll want to give it your first chance. Mendy has returned to a call after his physical problems, but it is too early for him to play; you must get back into shape.
Camavinga may debut
In midfield, Ancelotti's options are slim: Kroos and Ceballos are injured, so the Italian will probably give the title to two players who have returned from the hiatus of teams like Casemiro and Valverde; next to them will be Modric, recovered and ready. On the bench, Blanco, Isco and Camavinga can have minutes in the second half; the Frenchman could make his debut in white.
And above, the loss of Bale has opened a gap for Rodrygo to start on the right, where Lucas Vázquez would also opt for the position. In point, Benzema is indisputable. And on the left, Hazard and Vinicius are at stake. The Belgian has a few more options, as the Brazilian is coming off a very demanding break and has been able to work less under the orders of Carletto.