Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Real Madrid team news: Predicted Real Madrid line up vs Getafe – No Courtois or Modric
THIBAUT COURTOIS may be forced to wait for his Real Madrid debut as Los Blancos kick off their La Liga campaign at home to Getafe on Sunday (9.15pm).
Real Madrid begin their La Liga campaign by welcoming Getafe to the Bernabeu on Sunday evening.
Manager Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked by Spain and took over from Zinedine Zidane on the eve of the World Cup, has a big decision to make regarding his goalkeepers ahead of the clash.
The Spanish giants signed Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea earlier this month but the Belgian was unable to make his debut in the Super Cup against Atletico Madrid due to an administrative error.
And now Courtois may be forced to wait even longer to make his first Real appearance if Lopetegui decides to stick with established No 1 Keylor Navas.
The Costa Rican stopper came in for some criticism during the 4-2 defeat to Atletico in Estonia but is part of a settled defensive unit which Lopetegui may be reluctant to disrupt.
Meanwhile, Luka Modric has only recently returned to training following Croatia’s extraordinary run to the World Cup final and might not be fit enough for Real’s opening league match.
Isco is likely to come in for the 32-year-old, while Alvaro Odriozola will also miss out due to an abductor injury.
Young centre-back Jesus Vallejo is sidelined after suffering a fibrillar rupture while Gareth Bale will provide support to Karim Benzema as Los Blancos get used to life without Cristiano Ronaldo.
GK – Keylor Navas
Courtois may have to be content with a spot on the bench as the Belgian acclimatises to life back in Madrid.
Navas started in the Super Cup defeat and should feature between the sticks yet again.
RB – Dani Carvajal
Odriozola is still sidelined with an abductor injury, meaning Carvajal is unchallenged for the right-back role.
CB – Raphael Varane
The Frenchman was in fine form on the way to World Cup glory and started alongside Sergio Ramos in the defeat to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
CB – Sergio Ramos
The Real skipper has a huge season ahead of him following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.
Without their talisman, Los Blancos will rely on Ramos to provide the leadership necessary in order to challenge both domestically and in Europe.
LB – Marcelo
The indomitable Brazilian is one of the first names on Lopetegui’s team sheet and will present an attacking threat to Getafe with his marauding runs forward.
Theo Hernandez’s loan move to Real Sociedad has removed all competition for Marcelo on the flank and the 30-year-old is almost certain to start.
CDM – Casemiro
The un-sung hero of the Real Madrid team for the past few seasons, Casemiro is a vital cog in the Galactico machine as he does the dirty work for his more attacking team-mates.
CM – Toni Kroos
After a disappointing summer in Russia, Kroos will look to get back to winning ways as the heartbeat of the Real midfield.
The German maestro, who scored one of the goals of the tournament at the World Cup, will see a lot of the ball at the Bernabeu and will hope to improve his attacking returns this season.
CM – Isco
With Modric still working his way back to full fitness after Croatia’s run to the World Cup final, Isco is expected to be handed a midfield berth against Getafe.
The Spaniard operated behind Karim Benzema against Atletico and could reprise that role again or sit deeper alongside Kroos.
RAM – Gareth Bale
Like Ramos, much is expected of Bale following the sale of Ronaldo.
The Welshman was in superb form towards the end of the 2017/18 campaign and will look to open his La Liga account against Getafe.
LAM – Marco Asensio
Asensio was handed a start ahead of Lucas Vazquez in the Super Cup final and should get the nod once again.
With Real short on personnel after a quiet transfer window, the 22-year-old could well be part of Lopetegui’s first choice line up for the coming season.
ST – Karim Benzema
A goal against Atletico will have done his confidence a world of good but there will be a heavy burden on Benzema to score more than in previous seasons.
The Frenchman only notched five times in the league during 2017/18 and on 12 occasions in all competitions.
However, with only Vazquez, Vinicius Junior and Borja Mayoral on the books Benzema’s spot is unlikely to be under threat – even if he struggles to get on the scoresheet.