Real Madrid finished final preparations in Valdebebas this morning ahead of the re-arranged LaLiga match away to Villarreal at the Estadio de La Cerámica (Jan 3 at 21:30 CET). With the injury sustained by Marcos Llorente, everything points to Casemiro starting in the line-up. The Brazilian secured some playing time at the recent Club World Cup after his return from injury.
Few other changes are anticipated in the starting XI with Solari expected to start with Courtois in goal, a defense of: Carvajal, Varane, Ramos and Marcelo. Kroos and Modric will accompany the Brazilian in the midfield with a front-line trio of Lucas Vázquez, Benzema and Gareth Bale.
Santiago SolariJavier LizónEFE
Apart from Marcos Llorente, Solari also has to make do with other key injury-hit absentees in Asensio and Mariano. Youth team player Cristo was called by Solari to complete numbers with the young striker already finding the net for the first team in the Copa del Rey game away to Melilla.