How Zidane's Real Madrid could line up in Clasico against Barça
The French coach is missing several key defenders for Saturday's game
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has spent days weighing up how to tackle Barcelona this weekend and, despite Eden Hazard's return to training, his plan remans similar to the one used successfully against Liverpool in midweek.
The absence of two key defensive players in Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos means he has no choice but to use Militao and Nacho as his two centre-backs. Both did well against Liverpool, despite the fact it was only the second time they played together this season. They also played against Eibar. However, on that day Zidane opted for a back five, with Lucas Vazquez, Mendy and Marcelo.
The Madrid coach also has doubts at full-back, where Lucas and Mendy are expected to play. Dani Carvajal is losing his fitness battle and, after 52 days out, Zidane won't take risks.
In midfield, Casemiro and Toni Kroos are fixed starters. The only slight doubt is if Luka Modric is reserved, given he's only missed one game since the start of 2021 and is running low on gas. Despite that, given the scale of the game, the Croatian is likely to play. If he doesn't, Fede Valverde's an option.
Zidane could also opt for a midfield four, leaving Benzema and Vinicius up front on their own, in which case Marco Asensio would drop out.
However, after the 3-1 win over Liverpool, Zidane's likely to stick with the 4-3-3 and the same attacking trident that started at Camp Nou in October. On that day, Madrid lined up: Courtois, Nacho (got injured and was replaced by Lucas), Varane, Sergio Ramos, Mendy, Fede Valverde (Modric), Casemiro, Kroos, Marco Asensio (Rodrygo), Benzema and Vinicius.
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