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The reigning Spanish and European champions have failed to convince domestically or on the continent this season and a defensive injury crisis will test the pragmatic Carlo Ancelotti’s ability to conjure up new solutions.
A much-needed 4-0 hammering of Osasuna before the November internationals will have lifted morale and visiting newly-promoted Leganes should be relatively straightforward for a star-studded Madrid side. However, Los Blancos may have one eye on Wednesday’s trip to Premier League leaders and recent Champions League final opponents Liverpool.
Here is how an injury-stricken Madrid could line up at Butarque.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – Having missed Madrid’s last three outings, Courtois could return between the sticks at Leganes. Andriy Lunin is an able deputy in his absence but no match for the Belgian.
RB: Federico Valverde – Reports from Spain suggest that Valverde will feature at right-back on Sunday, filling in for the injured Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal. The Uruguayan offers consistency wherever he plays.
CB: Raul Asencio – With Eder Militao suffering an ACL injury against Osasuna, Madrid are short at the back. David Alaba and emergency option Aurelien Tchouameni are also missing, with 21-year-old Asencio chosen to replace Militao last time out.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – One central defender Madrid can always rely on is Rudiger, who hasn’t let his standards drop despite an underwhelming start to the campaign for the capital club. A titan in both boxes, he will be key in keeping a much-changed backline well organised.
LB: Ferland Mendy – Fran Garcia was handed a rare start before the international break but one would imagine that Mendy would return to the XI on Sunday. The Frenchman’s sub-par …
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