Real Madrid’s confirmed starting lineup against Girona in LaLiga EA Sports

Real Madrid have suffered yet more injury setbacks ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against Girona, with not one but two central defenders struck by fitness issues. Muscle fatigue preventing Nacho from training all week and ultimately taking part in the LaLiga clash, while Antonio Rüdiger, who was initially named in the squad for the match, has ultimately dropped out, leaving Carlo Ancelotti without any fit senior central defenders.

Rüdiger drops out after being named in matchday squad

Nacho was, however, expected to return for the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie against RB Leipzig on Tuesday. Alas, he did not, and Carvajal kept his place with the newly introduced Tchouaméni.

Rüdiger, meanwhile, suffered a quad injury in the defeat to Getafe a little over a week ago and had been set to play through the pain barrier after missing last weekend’s derby draw against Atlético Madrid. But it has been discovered the problem is worse than was first feared and the German is now facing two weeks on the sidelines.

As a result, right-back Dani Carvajal and midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will be forced to form an unlikely partnership in central defence, with Lucas Vázquez coming into the team out wide. That will leave Eduardo Camavinga as one of the two central midfielders alongside Toni Kroos. The future of the former Bayern Munich man has come back into spotlight this week, with manager Ancelotti saying in his pre-match press conference “he will have a lot of character, a lot of balls, if he retires in four months’ time.” The Santiago Bernabéu faithful, who will have the chance to watch live NFL action before too long, may well try to influence his decision from the stands against the Girona and will be hoping he opts to stay for at least another year.

Vinícius also fit after recent neck injury

Like Rüdiger, Vinícius Júnior also sat out last Sunday’s derby after feeling some pain in his neck during the warm-up. The Brazilian has now fully recovered and will start in attack, as usual. The big question is whether Ancelotti opts to rotate with the Champions League on the horizon, although it seems unlikely given the magnitude of the game. With that in mind, Rodrygo should start in attack alongside his compatriot.

Real Madrid’s possible starting XI to play Girona

Lunin; Vázuqez, Carvajal, Tchouameni, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo and Vinícius.

Los Blancos head into the game two points ahead of their opponents, who few would have expected to be anywhere near the top of the table at this stage of the season. Both teams have lost just once in LaLiga, with Madrid inflicting Girona’s only loss at Montilivi in September. You can follow live text coverage of the clash at the Bernanéu, which kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET, on AS USA.