Depleted Madrid face Levante with seven first-teamers missing
Real Madrid return to La Liga action after a nightmare week, with Arbeloa missing seven key players as they look to bounce back against Levante.
Los Blancos desperate to return to winning ways after losing two trophies in three days
Real Madrid are back in La Liga action this weekend, and they’ll be absolutely gagging for a win after what can only be described as a proper nightmare week. Arbeloa’s men face Levante at the Bernabéu having just been knocked out of the Copa del Rey and losing the Spanish Super Cup final in the space of three days. Talk about your London buses - you wait ages for a disappointment and then two come along at once!
Madrid’s injury crisis deepens
The new gaffer’s got a right headache on his hands with seven first-team players unavailable for the clash against the Granotas:
- Lunin
- Mendy
- Militão
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Rüdiger
- Brahim
- Rodrygo
Mbappé has made the squad, but he’s not expected to start - bit of a mare that, innit? The French superstar will likely be watching from the bench, at least initially.
Youth to the rescue
With his squad looking thinner than my hairline these days, Arbeloa’s had to dip into the academy. David Jiménez, Cestero, Palacios and Leiva have all been called up, alongside keepers Fran and Mestre.
The youngsters might need to step up and show some proper bottle if Madrid are to get back to winning ways.
Levante not without problems
The visitors aren’t exactly coming in at full strength either. They’ve got their own injury troubles with Unai Elgezabal, Víctor García and Roger Brugué (who’s just had surgery on his left knee) all missing.
To make matters worse, Diego Pampín (right calf), Matías Moreno (muscle fatigue), and Oriol Rey (muscle discomfort) are also out. It’s like a hospital ward, I swear!
On the plus side for Levante, their winter signing Ugo Raghouber is available after training with the squad for two days. Paco Cortés returns from Spain U19 duty, and Koyalipou is back in the squad too.
Likely lineups
Real Madrid (predicted): Courtois; David Jiménez, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bellingham; Güler, Gonzalo and Vinicius.
Levante (predicted): Ryan; Toljan, Dela, Matturro, Manu Sánchez; Vencedor, P. Martínez; K. Tunde, Carlos Álvarez, Losada; Etta Eyong.