Real Madrid’s unbeaten record is once again on the line, and this time it is arguably their hardest test of the season. They travel 14.1 kilometres east down the A-2 motorway to take on city rivals Atlético Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium.
Ahead of the game, which kicks off at 10:15 AM Eastern Time, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso will have to make a few important decisions in terms of his starting lineup. Here’s a look at how things may go...
For starters, Bellingham is aiming for the bench. He wants to get minutes, but in the second half. There are no doubts about his left shoulder, yet he doesn’t feel fully fit. And a match like Saturday’s, which promises to be red-hot, requires the players to be at 200%. Xabi Alonso is leaning toward keeping Güler in midfield and Mastantuono on the right wing.
The latter was practically a certainty. But Arda would have been the weak link if Jude were to come on. That won’t happen—Jude will face his first major test in this shirt.
Vinicius will also start, the player who has been at the center of debate over the past month. His performance against Levante dispelled any doubts about whether he should start. He will—on the left wing, tasked with the difficult challenge of facing Llorente, one of the club’s most in-form players. Alongside him are Mbappé and the aforementioned Mastantuono.
At the back, it’s the full-strength defense. Carvajal returns at right back—he is suspended for Almaty, so there is no doubt about his inclusion—Militao comes back after resting against Levante, and Carreras will be at left back once again. Huijsen has quickly made the other centre-back spot his own. He’s playing, 100%.
This sets up a possible Real Madrid starting eleven against Atlético de Madrid in the derby: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Güler, Tchouaméni, Valverde; Mastantuono, Mbappé, Vinicius.