Real Madrid will be taking on Almeria at the Estadio Mediterráneo for the 2nd La Liga game of the season. Both sides last met in April and Madrid won it 4-2. Real Madrid finished second in La Liga last season and are eyeing for title glory in the top flight. Los Blancos have recently beat Athletic Club 2-1 in their season opener.
Real Madrid would take this game as a cakewalk considering their record against Almeria. The hosts managed to survive in the top flight by finishing 17th last season. They are coming off a 2-0 loss to Ray Vallecano at home. This season would be a tough one after not spending a good amount in the transfer window. Los Blancos would look to earn three more points to take the top spot.
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid had a decent summer transfer window as they signed Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. He made his debut last week and scored a goal in the away victory at San Mamés Barria. They signed Arda Guler and Fran Garcia on permanent deals. Joselu and Kepa Arrizabalaga have also joined Spanish giants on loan from Espanyol and Chelsea respectively.
Since the departure of Karim Benzema, Carlo Ancelotti has to deal with the issue in the attacking option. The Los Blancos boss will stick with the new 4-3-1-2 formation in the ongoing season. Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior will operate as the front two. This strategy worked out in the away victory against Athletic Club.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have to deal with the injury issues. Eder Militao has been sidelined for a long time due to a knee injury as the centre-back damaged his ACL last week at San Mamés Barria. Antonio Rudiger will replace him in the XI for this match. Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos are also out with muscle and hamstring injuries respectively.
On the other hand, Thibaut Courtois is also out for the selection. He is recovering from an ACL tear of his own. To solve the goalkeeping option, Real Madrid has called Kepa Arrizabalaga, who will debut for the Whites. Madrid president recently announced the lone signing from Chelsea and Kepa will wear the shirt of no. 25.
Carlo Ancelotti will make only two changes from the winning combination. Antonio Rudiger and Kepa will be in the main XI while Luka Modric and Toni Kroos sit on the bench. Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior will continue in their most recent positions given by the Madrid boss.
Real Madrid XI:
Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, F Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Vinicius, Rodrygo
Real Madrid Squad
Goalkeepers: Lunin, Cañizares and Fran.
Defenders: Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Nacho, Odriozola, Lucas V., Fran García and Rüdiger.
Midfielders: Bellingham, Kroos, Modrić, Camavinga, Valverde and Tchouameni.
Attackers: Vini Jr., Rodrygo, Joselu and Brahim.
