Militao, Bellingham start in a 4-4-2 – How Real Madrid can line up against Girona | OneFootball

Real Madrid will be gunning to get back to winning ways when they take on Girona later tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga.

The Merengues come into the game on the back of two consecutive 2-1 defeats – first against RCD Mallorca in La Liga and then against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

The loss to Mallorca already left Real Madrid seven points behind leaders Barcelona in the La Liga table. Another slip-up and they may well bid goodbye to the slim hopes of mounting a late push for the title.

So, from hereon, every game is pretty much a must-win for Alvaro Arbeloa & co. if they are to stay alive in the league title race. It will, however, be not easy for Los Blancos, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Girona in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Ferland Mendy is back to full fitness and will return to the squad tonight which will come as a boost for Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois remain unavailable through injuries.

Despite suggesting otherwise, Alvaro Arbeloa could make some rotations to the starting XI keeping an eye on next week’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich.

Here’s how the Real Madrid boss could set his team up against Michel’s men tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Defence

With Thibaut Courtois still not available, Andriy Lunin will continue start in between the sticks for Real Madrid and will be hoping for a rare clean sheet.

At the heart of the defence, there will be one major change as Eder Militao is all set to start, as confirmed by manager Alvaro Arbeloa during his press conference on Thursday.

Set to start. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

The fit-again Brazilian will replace Antonio Rudiger, who will be given a breather before the trip to Bavaria. As such, Dean Huijsen is once again expected to start as the second centre-back for Los Blancos ahead of Raul Asencio.

Meanwhile, captain Dani Carvajal, who is going through a difficult period at the club with his limited role, is expected to get a start tonight, with Trent Alexander-Arnold making way.

On the opposite side, Fran Garcia should get the nod ahead of Alvaro Carreras, who struggled against Bayern. Ferland Mendy is expected to come on sometime in the second half.

Midfield

Aurelien Tchouameni is a guaranteed starter in midfield for Real Madrid tonight, considering that he is suspended for the Bayern Munich clash.

Partnering the French international in the centre of the park should be compatriot Eduardo Camavinga, who will likely be the one chosen to replace Tchouameni next week at the Allianz Arena.

Jude Bellingham, having made three substitute appearances since returning from injury, is all set to start tonight. The Englishman is likely to take up the left flank in the four-man midfield setup, from where he will look to cut in and provide attacking support to the front two.

Federico Valverde, meanwhile, should continue on the right-hand side of the Real Madrid midfield. It means Arda Guler will be the one dropping out of the starting XI.

Attack

Given that there is little margin for error for Real Madrid in La Liga, Arbeloa is expected to go in with his marquee attacking partnership of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. at the top against Girona.

Brahim Diaz, Gonzalo Garcia, and Franco Mastantuono will all be options from the bench if the manager decides to change things up and rest his superstar duo later on in the game.