LALIGA
Real Madrid’s confirmed line-up vs Almería in LaLiga today
The lowdown on Madrid’s starting XI as Carlo Ancelotti’s men return to LaLiga action for the first time since the beginning of January.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has picked a near first-choice line-up against Almería on Sunday, as Los Blancos play their first LaLiga game in nearly three weeks.
Follow Real Madrid - Almería live online: score, stats & updates, LaLiga EA Sports.
Madrid, who sit second in the Spanish top flight, one point behind Girona but with a game in hand, last saw league action when they beat Real Mallorca 1-0 at the Bernabéu on 3 January.
Carvajal was set to sit out Almería clash
After hosting Almería, Madrid have a week to recover before visiting Las Palmas, so the only regular who appeared certain to be given a rest this weekend is right-back Dani Carvajal.
Following his exertions in the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey over the past week and a half, Carvajal was likely to make way for Lucas Vázquez, who has now fully recovered from a thigh injury. However, it was not to be, and the Spaniard makes the side.
Rüdiger & Rodrygo not rested
The other two first-team fixtures who could also have been given a breather were Antonio Rüdiger and Rodrygo Goes. In recent weeks, Ancelotti has repeatedly warned that Rüdiger, who has played more minutes than any other squad member this season, will need to be get a break at some point.
Were the German to have dropped to the bench against Almería, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni would have filled in at centre-back. Rodrygo, who has been Madrid’s third-most used player this term, would have been replaced by Brahim Díaz.
Kroos, Kepa to return to line-up
In central midfield, Toni Kroos is set to return to the team after being rested for the first hour of Madrid’s Copa defeat to Atlético Madrid on Thursday, with Eduardo Camavinga partnering him in the engine room.
In goal, Ancelotti has confirmed that Kepa Arrizabalaga will be given the gloves ahead of Andriy Lunin.
Real Madrid’s line-up to face Almería:
Kepa Arrizabalaga; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Nacho, Ferland Mendy; Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes, Vinícius Júnior.
Real Madrid vs Almería: when, where how to watch?
Real Madrid take on Almería on matchday 21 of the LaLiga today, Sunday 21 January 2024, with kick-off at the Bernabéu scheduled for 10:15am ET/7:15am PT. In the US, the game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.
You can enjoy the game live on the streaming service fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
Get more news on the Spanish league in our dedicated LaLiga section.