Real Madrid will face Valladolid on Saturday without one of its stalwarts, with the four likely candidates to replace him being Fede, Isco, James or Lucas.
The confirmation of Modric's one-game suspension leaves Zinedine Zidane with some thinking to do regarding who will fill in for the Croatian against Valladolid on Saturday.
Without Modric, the player who has had the tenth highest number of minutes under Zidane, the French coach has at least four candidates to choose from: Isco, Fede Valverde, James and Lucas Vázquez.
Logic would point to Isco as the main option. The Malaga native was tenth in the squad in number of minutes played (329) during pre-season, with four starts in seven games. Those stats place him above the other three and underline Zidane’s confidence in him. And he would fit into a 4-3-3 system in a free roaming role – á la Modric – quite naturally.
Valverde and James
While Isco seems like the obvious choice, Fede and James have also put their hands up for consideration. On the opening day of the season last weekend, it was surprising to see Valverde left out of the squad. He is the purest central midfielder out of the four, and therefore, in theory, would be the most natural alternative to Modric, Casemiro or Kroos.
However, considering James made the bench ahead of Valverde against Celta last weekend, he would probably be favoured ahead of the Spanish central midfielder. The Colombian has impressed Zidane in training and is definitely in with a shout to start in place of the Ballon d’Or winner.
The rest of the eleven will likely remain unchanged from the trip to Balaídos, aside from Dani Carvajal, who returns after suspension and is set to start ahead of Álvaro Odriozola.
Lucas Vázquez in a 4-4-2
Considering Zidane’s openness to changing his formation in the pre-season, it would not be crazy to suggest that Lucas Vazquez could come in were the French coach to deploy a 4-4-2 system.
In this scenario, two players would form the engine room, Casemiro and Kroos, while outside them would be two wingers, with Lucas Vázquez being one of the purest in that position. Vinicius or Bale would be chosen on the other wing, with the unchosen of those two joining Benzema on the front line.
zizabinpz
0
I prefer Zindane should choose Lucas Vasquez or James
Momadridista2
1
I suggest Benzema to replace him , let us play with 10 players , zidane will like that
Hohbcmpu
2
james rodriguez deserves that place
Niddknrty
2
James must play
subhochowdhury
1
James pls
Fusbdlpstu
1
James deserve to start on saturday
Nigaraw
2
MTiger
2
hazbinty
0
All players cannot and will never be on the pitch at the same time but they all make up the squad
dayaepr
0
James
mufummi2youngmadris
1
Again Real V.
singhmahaveer
2
rezipty
0
Please Use this lineups for Madrid game tomorrow Hala Madrid
betaeims
0
against vallodalid this should be the lineup
Blaizooooooooooooo
0
James should even play ahead of Modric
Guntash_Dhillon11
0
[image]
there would be lot of goals
josailnry
1
James Rodriguez 😘
tauaciuy
3
Aryan6969
4
johnnealg
2
James is the key
woznuik
0
Hope to see this
tukcersz
1
riddhi10
1
I want james to play... he would get the time to prove himself
Mo-mujahid
1
Rodriguez for me is good to replace Modric
Botabprs
0
honestly I don't think Lucas has the ability to play for real madrid
years on the bence my friend how much is the goals he scored or assists? I'm looking at the facts
Atheba
6
James will be an idle replacement for Modric, Navas for the Snake and Cavarjal for Odriazola.
hibbrsuy
2
Why are u loaning players zizu
Trevorn
0
honestly I don't think Lucas has the ability to play for real madrid
What? He's been doing so for years now...
Trevorn
0
[image]
Yep I like this formation. We should play that 442 Saturday against Valloloid.
Blackmoore
2
MODRIC IS IRREPLACEABLE JUST LIKE MESSI AND CR7. Is difficult to get a player of his type who will be loyal like him. I RESPECT YOU SENIOR MODRIC.
Roweipr
6
nusbdmou
5
sub: Banzema- Jovic,. Vinicius-Isco,.Bale-Vasqus...........That's
huhaeiopuz
1
PritamGayen
3
Sioekmrsuz
1
just want to see james magic plz!
Yuciostuz
1
prediction of week 2 formation
Puhanopu
0
I think James good option of modric place because he played for Bayern regularly
we can manage focus on ur team
NicsDsilva05
1
I think James will be good choice
miccdeiloz
1
isco
Botabprs
1
honestly I don't think Lucas has the ability to play for real madrid
kandemiritinashe
0
james
sumabcdipy
2
vs Valladolid
Santiagoduniya
1
Sunday or Saturday @autty, or are you sleeping?
KAUST
0
It's not a red card last match, Madrid should object it.
IkramNichari
1
I think James good option of modric place because he played for Bayern regularly
LoveHardy
1
It's ok. First I was shocked seeing it, former it was yellow. But according dangerous play, keyword injuries, it's fully acceptable. So good direction to handle it clear red in these cases.
QWERTYbe
1
4-4-2 Courtois,Odriozola,Varane,Ramos,Marcelo,Isco,Kroos,Casemiro,James,Bale Benzema
Rashnic/GOAT/CR7
2
Use James Rodriguez
happylife
0
With all the players at his disposal If Zidane thinks so then we have a very big problem this season
Theman21
3
Zidane should replace modric by playing himself