Real Madrid v Girona - Preview and possible lineups

Charles Whitehead 5 years ago 13.3k
Vinicius should retain his starting place in the absence of Gareth Bale. EFE

We look ahead to Friday's Copa del Rey quarter final 1st leg clash between Real Madrid and Girona at the Bernabeu.

TEAM NEWS: 

Real Madrid: Manager Santiago Solari is given a boost by the return to training of Toni Kroos, Marcos Llorente and Mariano Diaz. The trio could all be involved in the clash with Sevilla. Keylor Navas, Marco Asensio and Jess Vallejo are all still on the sidelines, however. Gareth Bale is nearing a return from injury but this game will come too soon for him - Vinicius will continue in his place. 

Girona: Cristhian Stuani should return to the starting XI after serving a suspension during the Girona's last match against Betis. The Uruguayan has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, and looks likely to be joined in attack by Anthony Lozano and Aleix Garcia, assuming Doumbia does not start. Carles Planas, Johan Mojica and Aday are all still out injured.

MANAGERS' THOUGHTS: 

Real Madrid manager Santiago Solari on Girona's style of play and Real's last outing:

"Girona are having a very good season, they're very dangerous on the counter-attack."

"We want to repeat what we showed against Sevilla [on Saturday], when we played a very complete game, and we must bring that to the team in the Copa.”

Girona manager Eusebio Sacristán on their upcoming opponents and game plans:

"At the moment Real Madrid are rediscovering their form and so it'll be very difficult to try and surprise them."

"We're going to play our own game but we will have to adapt slightly for tomorrow's match. We want to show the best of ourselves to be able to continue improving."

FORM GUIDE:

DID YOU KNOW?

This encounter will be only the fourth ever meeting between these two sides, and the first time they have met in the Copa del Rey.

Madrid have won three of their four meetings with Girona, with the visitors' only victory coming in October 2017.

POSSIBLE LINEUPS:

Real Madrid: Courtois; Odriozola, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo; Llorente, Kroos, Valverde; Vinicius, Benzema, Isco

Girona: Iraizoz; Ramalho, Espinosa, Muniesa; Porro, Granell, Luiz, Valery; Lozano, Garcia, Stuani

Mentioned in the news story

Copa del Rey
Real Madrid