Vazquez starts, Valverde rests: Predicted Real Madrid line-up against Girona | OneFootball

Real Madrid are up against Girona on matchday 25 of La Liga. Last season’s revelations visit the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday, February 23rd at 16:15 local time with the hosts looking to put an end to three straight games without victory in the Spanish top division. Having seen off Manchester City in the Champions League playoff midweek, the morale in their camp will be high coming into the game.

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona would have already played their games for the weekend by the time the Whites face off versus Girona, so they will very possibly be the chasers to remaining jointly top with Hansi Flicks men. With that said, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have flexed their domineering nature against their next opponents having won each of their last three games against them, scoring 10 and conceding none.

Federico Valverde is expected to be rested as he played the Man City game with painkillers, while Lucas Vazquez might return to the fore. Jude Bellingham is suspended for the match after his red card at Osasuna last weekend. Barring the two midfielders, Real Madrid will remain without their long-term casualty victims, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, after they both tore their crucial ligaments last year.

Here is a look at how Los Merengues might line up for the game.

Goalkeeper – Thibaut Courtois

Courtois will take his place between the sticks ahead of Andriy Lunin.

Right Back – Lucas Vazquez

Vazquez could make his return from injury and start at right back.

Centre Back – Raul Asencio

Asencio is indispensable in the team and will be employed at centre back once more.

Centre Back – Antonio Rudiger

Rudiger is back from injury and having already played against City midweek, the German will likely pair with Asencio in the backline.

Left Back – Fran Garcia

With Ferland Mendy likely to return to the bench, Fran could be deployed at left back.

Defensive Midfielder – Aurelien Tchouameni

Tchouameni has played well in recent weeks and will once again receive the nod as the number six.

Right Midfielder – Luka Modric

Modric could play against Girona with Bellingham as well as Dani Ceballos likely to be rested.

Left Midfielder – Eduardo Camavinga

A number of rotations in midfield might see Camavinga enter the line-up as well.

Right Winger – Rodrygo Goes

Rodrygo is playing some fantastic football of late and having made the right flank his own, the Brazilian is expected to feature in the position.

Striker – Kylian Mbappe

All eyes will be on Mbappe to make his mark against Girona as he comes off the back of a hat-trick versus Manchester City in the Champions League.

Vinicius has not scored a goal in the last four games for Real Madrid but will be expected to be on target against Girona, against whom he scored twice at the Bernabeu last season.