ZINEDINE ZIDANE must find a way to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Manchester City in the Champions League without two key players.
Sergio Ramos, the club’s captain and second highest scorer this season, is suspended after his red card in the defeat at the Bernabeu.
And Eden Hazard is a major doubt after aggravating an ankle injury in June, having had surgery on the problem area during the coronavirus shutdown.
That leaves coach Zidane with no obvious solution when setting out his attack in the last-16 second leg, with at least two goals needed thanks to the away goals rule.
However, the Frenchman is highly unlikely to go hugely gung-ho with his XI and a 4-3-3 formation should remain his go-to setup.
Marco Asensio, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius are all ready to step in for Hazard, who is set to settle for a role off the bench.
None of the three have excelled in a scoring sense this season although Spain international Asensio only returned from a long-term injury in June.
Vinicius may be Zidane’s more trusted option to support Karim Benzema and a decisive strike in March’s El Clasico win proved his mettle for big games.
BALED OUT
Two men who will not be helping reverse the deficit are Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez.
Neither outcast received the call for Real’s travelling squad to Manchester with Rodriguez reportedly heading to Atletico Madrid.
Bale’s future is far murkier with the Welshman having little appetite to leave and Zidane refusing to play him.
Gareth Bale has been stuck on the bench since the restart but will not even travel to ManchesterCredit: Reuters
Instead, the coach will be focused on fitting four into three in his midfield, with either Fede Valverde or Luka Modric likely to miss out on Friday night.
Toni Kroos and Casemiro should start, with Isco also available.
In defence, Eder Militao will line up alongside Raphael Varane due to Ramos’ suspension with Ferland Mendy trusted at left-back.
Gareth Bale trolls Zinedine Zidane again with hilarious antics as he’s left on bench for Real Madrid
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
