Camavinga, Rodrygo start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Real Madrid can line up against Leganes | OneFootball

Real Madrid resume the defence of their La Liga title tonight following the international break as they take on CD Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Having seen Barcelona open up a three-point lead with a win on Thursday, Real Madrid are aware that they cannot afford a slip-up and risk losing more ground in the title race.

The reigning champions beat Leganes 3-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season but were pushed to the brink by the minnows in their Copa del Rey quarter-final meeting last month. A stoppage-time goal from Gonzalo Garcia helped them secure a 3-2 win.

Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti will have some important selection decisions to make, given the players’ international exertions as well as the upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad next week.

Furthermore, Real Madrid will also be without some key players as Thibaut Courtois, Dani Ceballos, and Ferland Mendy are all out due to physical problems while Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain long-term absentees.

So, there are likely to be some rotations made to the starting lineup as Real Madrid gear up to take on Leganes tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Defence

With Thibaut Courtois unavailable due to an overload, Andriy Lunin is set to start in goal for Real Madrid tonight, hoping to put in a good shift and build some confidence leading up to the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg next week where he is expected to start again.

Meanwhile, in defence, Fran Garcia, who has recovered from his knock, should get the nod at left-back in the injury-enforced absence of Ferland Mendy. Veteran star Lucas Vazquez, staring at an uncertain future, ought to feature on the right.

Raul Asencio, fresh after his first-ever call-up to the Spanish national team, will be one of the starting centre-backs for Los Blancos. The youngster is likely to be partnered by Antonio Rudiger ahead of fellow veteran David Alaba.

Midfield

Eduardo Camavinga will need to step up. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

With Dani Ceballos injured and Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde returning after heavy involvement with the French and Uruguayan national teams, respectively, during the break, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make some alterations in the centre of the park.

Both Valverde and Tchouameni are likely to be left on the bench, with Eduardo Camavinga and captain Luka Modric expected to start in the double pivot for the home team tonight against Leganes.

Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, should start in his customary position as the attacking midfielder and provide a goal threat.

Attack

There is a possibility that Vinicius Jr. is given a rest by Ancelotti, which could pave the way for Brahim Diaz to get a starting berth in the Real Madrid attacking unit in tonight’s clash.

Rodrygo Goes and Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, will complete the trident for the Merengues against Leganes.

The likes of Endrick, Arda Guler, and Vinicius will likely get some minutes off the bench in the second half of the game.