Real Madrid’s possible line-up vs Athletic: why isn’t Vinícius Júnior playing?

Real Madrid will look for their fourth LaLiga win in a row when they take on Athletic Club on matchday 19 on Wednesday.

Aurélien Tchouaméni is in contention to make his comeback from injury when Real Madrid take on Athletic Club at San Mamés, where Carlo Ancelotti may opt to field Los Blancos in a 4-4-2 formation.

Tchouaméni is expected to come into Madrid’s line-up in the Basque Country tomorrow, just under a month since the Frenchman suffered an ankle injury in the team’s Champions League defeat to AC Milan. Speaking to reporters today, Ancelotti said: “He [Tchouaméni] is looking really good - he’s trained well and recovered well. He’s fit to play from the off.”

Asked whether he plans to use Tchouaméni at anchorman or as a makeshift central defender, Ancelotti was giving nothing away, saying: “We’ll have to see tomorrow where I play him.”

Where will Tchouaméni play?

Following Éder Militao’s serious knee injury last month, Tchouaméni had been expected to fill in for the Brazilian at center-back once he returned; however, 21-year-old Raúl Asencio has impressed in central defense Tchouaméni’s absence, and looks likely to start alongside Antonio Rüdiger once more against Athletic.

On the left-hand side of the Madrid defence, full-back Fran García also appears set to keep his place, having earned praise from Ancelotti for his performance in Los Merengues’ weekend LaLiga win over Getafe. García is expected to start ahead of Ferland Mendy, who gave an unconvincing display in the Champions League defeat to Liverpool a week ago.

Rodrygo-Mbappé pairing up top?

In midfield, the return of Tchouaméni and Luka Modric would allow Ancelotti to deploy Valverde on the right flank, with the task of helping right-back Lucas Vázquez to keep Athletic winger Nico Williams in check. In attack, Rodrygo Goes is the favorite to partner Kylian Mbappé, with Vinícius Júnior currently unavailable due to a hamstring injury.

Real Madrid’s possible XI vs Athletic Club:

Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Raúl Asencio, Antonio Rüdiger, Fran García; Fede Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappé.

Athletic Club vs Real Madrid: when, where, how to watch?

Athletic Club and Real Madrid meet tomorrow, Wednesday December 4, on matchday 19 of the 2024/25 LaLiga season. Kick-off at San Mamés is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET/12 noon PT.

Viewers in the US can watch the game on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes. You can also stream the action live on the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free trial.

A team on a run of three LaLiga wins in a row, Madrid will bid to move back to within one point of leaders Barcelona, who beat Real Mallorca 5-1 today. Los Blancos have played two games fewer than their arch rivals, as their matchday-12 clash with Valencia was postponed due to the deadly flooding on the east coast of Spain a month ago.

Athletic are fourth in LaLiga, seven points behind Madrid.