On Sunday night, Real Madrid look forward to hosting Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu, all the while trying to widen the gap with Barcelona.
Real Madrid still remains undefeated in La Liga over 11 matches and have been the second-best in only one match so far this season which was against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, this week. Whereas Girona on the other hand are fighting their way out of the relegation zone.
Los Blancos have three more league games left before the season takes a break for the World Cup, hosting Girona and Cadiz in addition to visiting Rayo Vallecano on November 7. They will play Celtic next week knowing that a win would secure first place in Group F of the Champions League.
Winning only 2 games and drawing a further of 3 games so far this season, Girona haven’t been off to a rather positive start to the 2022/23 season. The two teams have met only 6 times so far, of which Real Madrid have won 4, Girona 1 and another meted out in a draw.
Having their undefeated streak across all competitions ended earlier this week by RB Leipzig, Real Madrid would most certainly push for a great game, with an even greater result to boost their spirits. And with the UCL knockout stages secured, Real Madrid now have no reason to hold back and can use the first-team players to their potential.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Date: Sunday, October 30.
Time: 15:15 GMT.
TEAM NEWS
The captain and the main man in attack for Real Madrid, Karim Benzema who has been sidelined for Sevilla and RB Leipzig after suffering from a muscle exhaustion will not be able to play against Girona and is still out of the squad.
There’s been mixed news regarding Rodrygo, who has been claimed to be suffering from an upset stomach as per rumours but he is in the squad, so he can be expected to start.
Ceballos and Mariano who had been out of squad with injuries for some time have made their appearances back again in the squad list and the first-team players look fit and ready to start barring the exception of Benzema.
As a result of Ancelotti’s rotations, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Ferland Mendy are also anticipated to start after being left out of the starting lineup against Leipzig.
Girona star players Borja Garcia and Ibrahim Kebe have been prevented to be a part of the squad since the start of the season due to injuries, while Juanpe is still a serious question mark for the match at Bernabeu owing to a leg issue. Real Madrid loanee Reinier Jesus had also been sidelined for a few matches, but made a comeback last week after scoring off the bench against Osasuna in La Liga last week.
Majority of the lineup from last time out’s game against Osasuna is set to remain on the field under head coach Michel.
However, if Rodrigo Riquelme replaces Toni Villa, there might be changes across the board.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Real Madrid XI vs Girona: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Asensio, Rodrygo and Vinicius.
Girona XI vs Real Madrid: Gazzaniga, Martinez, Bueno, Espinosa, Javi Hernandez, Miguel Gutierrez, Reinier, Romeu, Aleix Garcia, Riquelme, Castellanos.
