Predicted XIs: Real Madrid to rest at least 4 players for CL ahead of El Clasico
Real Madrid are in Portugal currently ahead of their Champions League clash with Braga (21:00 CEST), but the tie occupying the minds of many is on Saturday – El Clasico.
Ahead of the match, Carlo Ancelotti maintained he was not thinking about their trip to Barcelona, but would instead evaluate the fitness of all of his players, noting that David Alaba and Ferland Mendy were coming off injuries.
The reality is that both of the major Madrid-based papers expect Ancelotti to rotate. Joselu Mato, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Lucas Vazquez, Nacho Fernandez and Fran Garcia are all expected to start as per Diario AS.
Marca are little less rotation heavy in their prediction. They see Fede Valverde and Rodrygo Goes also starting instead of Joselu and Camavinga, but otherwise agree. Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, Dani Ceballos and Arda Guler are injured, but it seems Brahim Diaz will miss out again.
Braga are expected to have all of their squad available, and will rely on Ricardo Horta and Bruma to create danger for them. Spanish international Abel Ruiz is expected to occupy the bench.
One thing that might change Ancelotti’s plans is a late injury scare for Camavinga. The Frenchman limped out of training early on Tuesday evening, and there is little information on his status.
Marca Predicted XIs:
Sporting Braga: Matheus; Mendes, Saatic, Niakate, Borja; Zalazar, Al Musrati; Djalo, Horta, Bruma, Banza.
Real Madrid: Kepa; Lucas, Rudiger, Nacho, Fran Garcia; Tchouameni, Valverde, Modric, Bellingham; Vinicius, Rodrygo.
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