Eager to get back to winning ways, an injury-ridden Real Madrid return to La Liga action against a struggling Elche side.
Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid came under fire ahead of the November international break after dropping points—both in Europe and domestically—against Liverpool and Rayo Vallecano in back-to-back matches. The Spanish giants were kept off the scoresheet in both matches, a streak they will hope to snap at the Estadio Martínez Valero on Sunday evening.
Los Blancos, though, will be severely undermanned against Elche. Éder Militão, who suffered an adductor injury while representing Brazil, joined long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rüdiger in the infirmary. Dean Huijsen also withdrew from international duty and is a doubt for the La Liga bout.
Question marks surround Aurélien Tchouaméni and Franco Mastantuono’s availability as well; the two players are nursing a hamstring and groin injury respectively. Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappé and Eduardo Camavinga, meanwhile, are all expected to be fit despite suffering scares during the November international window.
Here’s what Real Madrid’s XI could look like against Elche.
