Real Madrid’s possible starting XI for the LaLiga game vs Osasuna

Real Madrid welcome Osasuna to the Santiago Bernabéu on match day nine of the LaLiga 23/24 season. Los Blancos are currently at the top of the division and they will be looking to win again and pile more pressure on Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, who are trailing slightly behind.

They will know before the game kicks off what the other team around them - Girona - have done in their game against Cádiz, something which adds an extra spice to the already tasty fixture in the Spanish capital, the last one before the international break that lasts almost two weeks.

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In between the sticks there is no doubt as to who is set to start: Kepa will be the man in goal. The stopper comes off the back of a wobbly error against Napoli, but Carlo trusts the player over Lunin and there is little to no possibility of a change.

As for the defence, get ready to roll up your sleeves. Real Madrid have just one available centre-back in the entire senior squad: Rüdiger. Militão and Alaba are injured while Nacho will serve the first of his three-match suspension for his horror challenge on Portu against Girona. Madrid have appealed and they are awaiting a verdict on a reduced punishment which would see him back for the upcoming Clásico on October 28.

As a result of this lack of defenders, Ancelotti has to choose who is going to stop the emergency alarms and fill the gap at the back. It will most likely be Tchouaméni who plays alongside Rüdiger, as the Frenchman has been learning the position all week in training. Another option for the central spot is Ferland Mandy, but Ancelotti hinted in his pre-match press duties that the central midfielder will drop back into the role.

In the full-back positions we will probably see Carvajal and the aforementioned Mendy, who will have a chance to put his name firmly in the mix for a starting role in future fixtures. Having said this, it would not be a surprise to see Mendy miss out in favour of Camavinga.

Without Tchouaméni in the middle of the park the most sensible option seems like Toni Kroos along with Modric and Valverde; after three games as a substitute the Croatian is likely to be given the nod in order to show his worth to the team. Ahead of the trio we will see the man of the moment, Jude Bellingham, who comes off the back of a stunning performance in Italy.

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And at the top of the team we will have Vinicius for certain, but there is a debate as to whether the Italian manager will go with Rodrygo or Joselu, which is the only other doubt in the entire XI. The Brazilian is going through a rough patch of form and has not scored since August 12, while the Spaniard is on a run of 4 goals so far and has netted in every game at the Bernabéu this season.

Not being in the starting side would be a hammer blow for an already low-on-confidence Rodrygo, but perhaps the only way to see the player through the tough time is by giving him a rest.

Real Madrid possible starting XI against Osasuna:

Real Madrid

• España

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