Predicted XI

Key defender injured - How Real Madrid could line up against Real Valladolid

Zinedine Zidane will be without key defenders in a Real Madrid team that has already been ravaged by injuries

9:47am on Friday 19th February 2021
By Stefan Bienkowski

Real Madrid will be hoping to continue adding to their recent run of good form in the Spanish top flight when they travel to face Real Valladolid on Saturday evening.

Zinedine Zidane’s side still sit six points behind cross-city rivals and league leaders Atletico but Diego Simeone’s side have shown a recent ability to drop points and Madrid will have to ensure they make the most of their own results if they have any hopes of catching them.

Unfortunately for the French head coach, injuries continue to plague his starting XI and against Valladolid it seems as though the Madrid boss will have to continue chopping and changing his tactics.

In defence Zidane will still have Thibaut Courtois to call upon between the posts, but an injury to Dani Carvajal means Lucas Vazquez will have to start at right-back on Saturday evening. Ferland Mendy is likely to take up his normal position on the left, with Nacho and Raphael Varane in the centre.

Zidane will be thankful that his trusted midfield trio of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos remain fit and healthy throughout this injury crisis and all three will likely be tasked with driving their team on against Valladolid.

However, up front the Madrid head coach will have to turn to Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio in place of his preferred but injured wide options. Both players will be tasked with providing support and service to Karim Benzema, who remains an ever-present goal threat up front.