How Real Madrid could line up against Real Sociedad

8:00am on Sunday 28th February 2021
By Emmet Gates

Real Madrid face Real Sociedad with mounting injury problems, as Zinedine Zidane's side try to stay in the title race.

Zidane has multiple first-team players out through injury, with the club suffering 50 different injuries this season.

Karim Benzema is out, as is Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Marcelo, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Federico Valverde.

Madrid edged out Atalanta 1-0 midweek in the Champions League in somewhat controversial circumstances, as Rafael Toloi's red card was believed by many to be excessive.

Thibaut Courtois will start in goal, supported by a backline of Ferland Mendy, scorer of the winner in Bergamo, at left-back, and a central defensive pairing of Nacho and Raphael Varane. Lucas Vazquez will play as a make-shift right-back.

Zidane at least has a somewhat regular central midfield to pick from, with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro still all fit and available to play.

With Benzema out injured and Luka Jovic now out on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt, Mariano Diaz will likely be asked to play as the centre-forward, with Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio either side.

Isco will again be utilised as a false nine, and the Spaniard will be supported by Vinicius and Marcos Asensio