Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has no new injury worries ahead of Sunday’s La Liga derby against Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu, although centre-back Raphael Varane could be among the players rested ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg at home to Juventus.
Varane sat out training on the team’s return from Tuesday’s 3-0 first leg win at the Juventus Stadium — a game in which regular centre-back partner Sergio Ramos picked up a booking which rules him out of the return leg.
Spain under-21 international Jesus Vallejo could deputise for Varane against Atletico, and then make his UEFA competition debut in Wednesday’s game in place of Ramos, although Friday’s club statement said the France international had returned to work with the group that morning.
With his side third in La Liga, 13 points behind leaders Barcelona with eight games remaining, Zidane is expected to shuffle his XI for Sunday’s match. Gareth Bale, left on the bench for all 90 minutes against Juve, is expected to start, with Marco Asensio and Mateo Kovacic among the others tipped to come in.
Ex-Atletico youth teamer Theo Hernandez could also feature against his old side, and face his brother Lucas, for the first time since his €30 million switch across the Spanish capital last year.
“The derby is always a special match.” Theo told Madrid’s website. “My brother plays for them and it’s even more magical than a normal derby, it’s incredible. We wind each other up sometimes but we get on well and we don’t discuss the derby at home. We’re going to compete to the best of our abilities in every game. Playing against Atletico is added motivation and we’ll fight hard to try and win it.”
Madrid’s only current long-term injury absence is versatile defender Nacho, who is expected to be back in early May from the hamstring issue picked up last weekend at Las Palmas.
Dermot Corrigan is a Madrid-based football writer who covers La Liga and the Spain national team for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @dermotmcorrigan
Be the first to comment