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Real Madrid team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Tottenham – Zidane forced to play Bale
ZINEDINE Zidane may be forced to play Gareth Bale due to injuries when Real Madrid take on Tottenham in the Audi Cup (5pm).
Real Madrid arrive in Munich ahead of Tottenham clash
Los Blancos have endured a miserable pre-season programme, losing to Bayern Munich and drawing with Arsenal before getting thumped 7-3 by Atletico Madrid.
Zidane has strengthened his squad heavily this summer as Real look to bridge the gap to rivals Barcelona, but the La Liga giants have now been struck down by a host of injuries.
Marco Asensio is a long-term absentee after tearing his ACL while £54million striker Luka Jovic picked up a knock against Atletico and is unlikely to face Tottenham.
Fellow summer signing Ferland Mendy has a thigh injury while Brahim Diaz is also doubtful as Real’s fitness problems mount.
With so many sidelined, Zidane may be forced to turn to Gareth Bale despite the Welsh winger looking likely to leave the Bernabeu before the start of the season.
Bale is not in Zidane’s plans and the Real manager admitted a move could be best for both parties, but a transfer to Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning broke down this weekend.
The 30-year-old reportedly refused to come off the bench during the pre-season win over Bayern, further souring his relationship with the manager.
However, the injuries to Asensio and Jovic have seen Los Blancos decide against selling James Rodriguez and now it looks like they could also perform a U-turn concerning Bale.
Bale would be in competition with Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo for the right-wing berth while Eden Hazard is an almost-certain pick on the opposite flank.
Karim Benzema is the obvious choice in the central role while Isco could either be deployed as a No 10 or alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in a three-man midfield.
Marcelo is the only option for Zidane at left-back while Raphael Varane will partner captain Sergio Ramos in central defence.
Dani Carvajal should be preferred to Alvaro Odriozola while Thibaut Courtois is expected to keep his spot, despite shipping seven goals last time out.
Real Madrid predicted line-up vs Tottenham Hotspur – Pre-season friendly
(4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Hazard, Benzema