REAL MADRID-CÁDIZ
Real Madrid vs Cadiz: team news, covid, injuries, possible starting line-ups
Carlo Ancelotti has called up 21 players against Cádiz, with several youth-teamers making up the numbers in Real Madrid's covid-hit squad.
Real Madrid host Cádiz in their final game of 2021 at the Santiago Bernabéu with Carlo Ancelotti managing a covid-depleted squad that has ruled Luka Modric – despite the Croatia midfielder’s negative test on Friday – Marco Asensio, Rodrygo, Andriy Lunin, Marcelo and Gareth Bale out of the game. Dani Carvajal is also unavailable after picking up a knock in the Madrid derby win over Atlético, while Isco and Mariano are also sidelined, which has led the Italian tactician to load the bench on Sunday with Castilla players.
Real Madrid Castilla to bolster Ancelotti's options
Reserve side keepers Luis López and Toni Fuidias have been called up as back-up for Thibaut Courtois while three outfield Castilla players are also in the squad: defender Miguel Gutiérrez, defensive midfielder Antonio Blanco and winger Peter González, who is in the senior squad for the first time. Dani Ceballos is also back in a Madrid squad, five months after being injured playing for Spain at the Tokyo Olympics.
Ancelotti confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Eden Hazard will start against Cádiz, his first since the Champions League match against Sheriff on 28 September. He will be joined in attack by Madrid’s dynamic duo, Karim Benzema and Vinicius, with the Italian able to field a starting XI of senior players from the outset despite the numerous absentees.
Real Madrid: possible starting XI vs Cádiz
Courtois; Nacho or Lucas Vázquez, Militão, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Hazard, Benzema, Vinicius.
Bench: Luis López, Toni Fuidias, Lucas Vázquez or Nacho, Vallejo, Miguel Gutiérrez, Blanco, Camavinga, Ceballos, Peter, Jovic.
Cádiz: posible starting XI vs Real Madrid
Ledesma; Akapo, Fali, Cala, Espino; Fernández, Jonsson, Alarcón; Alejo, Lozano, Arzamendia.