Thibaut Courtois faces a late fitness doubt for Carlo Ancelotti and his Real Madrid side as they prepare to meet Valencia in a crucial La Liga clash.
Real Madrid will return to action in La Liga on Sunday, four days after a resounding 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. The Whites head to Mestalla Stadium to face a Valencia side aiming to climb away from relegation trouble, needing maximum points to bolster their league aspirations.
Courtois concern
The Real Madrid squad remains unsure about the Belgian goalkeeper’s availability. Courtois has calf discomfort and is a doubt for the match against Valencia. If he cannot play, Andriy Lunin would continue in goal. The rest of the squad could feature players who appeared as substitutes against City, including Aurélien Tchouaméni, Nacho Fernández, Antonio Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez and Marco Asensio, with a possible rotation as next week brings a midweek fixture window.
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Valencia without first-choice center backs
Valencia travel to the game with two defensive injuries. Gabriel Paulista was dismissed late in the loss to Celta before the international break, as Rubén Baraja’s men secured a valuable 1-2 victory thanks to a late strike from youth product Alberto Marí. Mouctar Diakhaby also picked up a booking, keeping him suspended for this match. As a result, neither of Valencia’s first-choice center-backs may feature, and Baraja could turn to Eray Cömert and Cenk Özkacar. Hugo Guillamón could be deployed in defense, but that has not been a consistent option in recent weeks.
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ALIGNMENTS OF VALENCIA VS. REAL MADRID
Valencia (1-4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Correia, Cömert, Özkacar, Gaya; Nico González, Javi Guerra, Andre Almeida; Kluivert, Cavani and Diego López
Real Madrid (1-4-3-3): Courtois; Lucas Vásquez, Rudiger, Militao, Mendy; Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Ceballos; Asensio, Benzema and Vinícius
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE VALENCIA VS. REAL MADRID
THE CALL FOR THE VALENCIA VS. REAL MADRID
The call from Real Madrid
INJURED AND QUESTIONED FOR VALENCIA VS. REAL MADRID
VALENCIA
REAL MADRID
SCHEDULE AND WHERE TO WATCH LIVE VALENCIA VS. REAL MADRID
Recent results for Real Madrid
Upcoming fixtures for Real Madrid
Notes: This match carries significance for Real Madrid as they seek to maintain momentum in La Liga while Valen cia aims to stabilize their campaign and climb clear of relegation danger. The fitness of Courtois will be a key talking point ahead of kickoff, with Lunin ready to step in if required.