Real Madrid return to domestic action with a trip to Mallorca on Saturday, hoping to keep the pressure on Barcelona atop the La Liga standings.
The 15-time Champions League winners went into the international break on a high after eliminating Manchester City from the Champions League before defeating rivals Atlético Madrid 3–2 in a thrilling derby comeback.
Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa held his breath over the next two weeks, desperate to welcome his players back from international duty without any injury scares—and he got his wish. The team returned to the Spanish capital relatively unscathed and are ready to get back the La Liga title race, but will have one eye on Bayern Munich’s impending arrival.
Arbeloa Looks for Federico Valverde Replacement
Los Blancos will be with their captain Federico Valverde on Saturday. The Uruguayan was controversially sent off in the Madrid derby and therefore must serve a one-game suspension.
Valverde’s absence opens the door for Jude Bellingham to come back into the XI for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in early February, but the midfielder is likely not ready to start. Real Madrid were reportedly unhappy with England boss Thomas Tuchel for not playing the No. 10 over the international break, preventing Bellingham from regaining his match fitness.
Instead, expect Eduardo Camavinga to get the nod in midfield. Brahim Díaz is another fringe player in line to start, giving Vinicius Junior some rest after the Brazilian complained of thigh pain during the break.
Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo, Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy are all still out, while Raúl Asencio remains a concern. Leaving the four players in the infirmary is Éder Militão, who is back available after four months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
- ⚠️ Key injuries, absentees, doubts: Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, Raúl Asencio.
- 🔢 Predicted formation: 4-4-2
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Mallorca (4-4-2)
GK: Andriy Lunin—The Ukrainian continues to fill in for the injured Thibaut Courtois. Lunin has yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold—After an unexpected two-week break thanks to Tuchel’s snub, Alexander-Arnold returns to action fully rested with something to prove.
CB: Antonio Rüdiger—Rüdiger is set to make his 175th appearance in a white shirt at the weekend. The center back’s return to form has been key to Real Madrid’s recent success.
CB: Dean Huijsen—The Spaniard is playing his best at the most crucial time of the season. Huijsen must continue his hot streak to lock down Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi, who has scored 18 goals this season.
LB: Álvaro Carreras—In line to make his first start since March 2, Carreras suddenly finds himself under pressure to re-establish himself as the team’s first-choice left back after impressive outings from Mendy and Fran García.
RM: Arda Güler—With Bellingham needing more time to get back to full match fitness, Güler’s place in the XI is safe ... for now. A quality performance from the Turkish youngster this weekend would do wonders for his case.
CM: Thiago Pitarch—Clearly here to stay, Pitarch gets the nod for the seventh consecutive game. Arbeloa has complete confidence in the teenager he helped develop during his time at Castilla.
CM: Aurélien Tchouaméni—The Frenchman does not get nearly the credit he deserves. One of the team’s most consistent players this term, Tchouaméni takes his place in midfield, where he will play his favorite role: disrupter.
LM: Eduardo Camavinga—Amid rampant transfer speculation, Camavinga gets a rare start to fill in for the suspended Valverde. The Frenchman has been itching for more minutes ever since Pitarch took his place in the XI.
ST: Brahim Díaz—The Morocco international could get the nod on Saturday to give Vinicius Jr some rest ahead of the Champions League quarterfinals. Díaz edges out Gonzalo García after a string of impressive performances in Mbappé’s absence.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Real Madrid XI vs. Mallorca: Bellingham, Vinicius Jr Calls Made—Injury News, Predicted Lineup.
