Real Madrid’s starting lineup against Atlético in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup

After Barcelona’s victory in opposition to Athletic, Actual Madrid seeks a spot this Thursday, January 8, within the remaining of the Spanish Tremendous Cup, on the King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis in Jeddah with probably the most complicated problem of the season to this point.

The Madrid derby comes on the worst potential second for the whites, who should take care of an infirmary filled with capital names and no room for error in opposition to an Atlético that smells blood and presents itself as a very uncomfortable rival in direct knockouts.

Essentially the most decisive loss is that of Kylian Mbappé, definitively confirmed after the newest medical checks. The French ahead, the staff’s prime scorer with 29 objectives this season, didn’t journey to Saudi Arabia because of a sprained left knee that he has been carrying because the finish of December.

Though the likelihood that he might drive for a hypothetical remaining was initially thought of, the teaching employees opted for the conservative route after verifying that the footballer had been competing much less properly in current weeks.

On protection, the state of affairs is equally dramatic. Éder Militao remains to be out because of the critical tear of his hamstring that he suffered in December in opposition to Celta, an harm that can preserve him out till April. One other related absence is that of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who did journey to Jeddah and is a part of the squad, however has no actual choices to play.

The one optimistic information on this chapter is the restoration of Dean Huijsen, who has overcome the muscular overload that prevented him from enjoying in opposition to Betis and returns as a substitute within the defensive axis.

With this panorama of urgency, Actual Madrid arrives on the occasion after having crushed Betis 5-1 in its final league match, a outcome that served primarily to launch Gonzalo García to the fore. The youth participant scored a memorable hat-trick on the Bernabéu that makes him the good offensive hope to make up for Mbappé’s absence.

As for the starting eleven, Thibaut Courtois will be the undisputed goalkeeper. The defensive line presents a configuration of circumstances: Fede Valverde will once again sacrifice his natural position in midfield to occupy the right back.

The central axis would be Antonio Rüdiger, although some last-minute discomfort leaves his presence up in the air, along with the young Raúl Asencio, who continues to demonstrate a maturity inappropriate for his age and who scored his first league goal precisely against Betis. Álvaro Carreras will complete the line on the left.

In midfield, Xabi Alonso will rely on muscle and experience. Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni will form the double pivot, seeking to win the physical battle in the center of the field against an Atlético that feeds on second plays and duels.

Ahead of them, Jude Bellingham will have carte blanche to appear in decisive moments, being the team’s football thermometer.

The offensive trident will be the great unknown. Vinicius Jr. will attack from the left, being the main threat in speed and imbalance. Rodrygo Goes will occupy the right wing, with the mission of providing depth and connection with the inside game.

The reference above will be for Gonzalo García, the new hero of the Bernabéu, who faces the definitive test to show that he can be more than just a one-off solution. In a derby without Mbappé, Madrid trusts that the magic of its Brazilians and the freshness of its youth squad will be enough to overcome an Atlético that never forgives the weaknesses of others.

Probable lineups

Atlético: Oblak; Hancko, Norman, Public, M. Lorente; A. Baena, Coke, Barrios, G. Simeone; J. Say and Sörloth

Real Madrid: courtois; Valverde, sencio, rüdiger (or Huijsen), races; Cammavinga, tchouary, bellingham; Rodrygo, Gonzalo and Vinicius Jr.