Keylor starts in Girona; Courtois on the bench
Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui surprised by leaving Thibaut Courtois on the subs' bench for the second week running for tonight's meeting in Girona.
Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui surprised many by deciding to leave new signing Thibaut Courtois on the subs' bench for the second week running as his team are guests of Girona. Keylor Navas will start the game despite speculation that Courtois would make his debut at Montilivi tonight.
The Belgian goalkeeper has been training as normal and it's a strange call from Lopetegui as it means that he will almost certainly have to hand Courtois his first run-out next week against Leganés at the Bernabéu. If he doesn't, the keeper will have to wait until mid-September, after the international break, to make his debut - that would mean almost six weeks of training without one official game for his new club.
Modric also on the bench
Luka Modric will join Courtois on the bench in Girona. Modric's only appearance since the new season started was as a late sub against Getafe on the opening day. Lopetegui opting once again to start with Isco which suggests that the Croatian won't be guaranteed a starting place in the team this season.
For the hosts, the big surprise was Eusebio's decision for Choco Lozano to lead the attack from kick-off and not Christian Stuani. Otherwise it is a starting XI that was pretty much expected, the ex-Real Sociedad coach playing his usual 4-3-3 set-up this evening.
Starting line-ups in Girona
Real Madrid XI: Keylor; Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Asensio.
Subs: Courtois, Varane, Modric, Lucas Vázquez, Llorente, Mayoral, Ceballos.
Girona XI: Bono; Pedro Porro, Bernardo, Juanpe, Muniesa; Timor, Pere Pons, Granell; Portu, Borja García; Lozano.
Subs: Iraizoz, Alcalá, Stuani, Aday, Roberts, Aleix García, Paik.