Real Madrid youngster aims to keep his place in the starting XI vs Real Sociedad | OneFootball

With the international break out of the way, Real Madrid return to action on Saturday when they face off against Real Sociedad away at the Reale Arena.

The Merengues are currently joint-leaders in La Liga, with three wins in three games, and will be gunning to keep their streak alive with another victory.

Reports earlier in the week had suggested that manager Xabi Alonso plans to make some rotations to the starting lineup, with one of the changes likely to see Franco Mastantuono getting benched.

Mastantuono wants to start

However, according to the latest update from AS, Mastantuono is intent on keeping his place in the starting lineup for Real Madrid against Sociedad.

The Argentine returned to training with the rest of the squad on Thursday after an arduous journey and worked normally on the pitch, instead of opting to do light training inside the gym.

Mastantuono aiming to start vs Sociedad. (Photo by Franklin Jacome/Getty Images)

Mastantuono’s appearance in training on Thursday gives him a strong chance of keeping his place in the starting eleven for the match against Real Sociedad at Anoeta.

Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo had stayed in Madrid, having been left out of the Brazil squad but in principle both compete for a place on the left flank. Mastantuono’s battle is on the right wing, where Brahim Diaz is the other contender.

The Moroccan international started on the opening matchday against Osasuna, but in the following two matches, Alonso demonstrated his preference for Mastantuono by giving him a place in the starting eleven.

Having returned after a productive international break with Argentina, where he started against Venezuela and then made a substitute appearance vs Ecuador, wearing the iconic No. 10 shirt in Lionel Messi’s absence, Mastantuono is eager to retain his spot in the Real Madrid XI.