Real Madrid v Girona - Preview and possible line-ups

Olivia Gidman 6 years ago 6.3k |

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Real Madrid v Girona - preview and possible line-ups. EFE

We look ahead to Sunday's La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Girona from the Santiago Bernebeu.

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Raphael Varane did not train with his teammates on Friday and is likely to miss Sunday's clash, having also missed the match against Ajax through illness. Real Madrid have other absences in the form of Luca Zidane and Marcos Llorente, although Isco returned to training following a back problem.

Lucas Vasquez, Asensio and Marcelo should feature in the starting XI as Solari is unlikely to make changes from the clash with Ajax. Sergio Ramos, who is being investigated by UEFA for a deliberate booking in the Champions League, will take his usual place in central defence while Nacho will battle with Jesus Vallejo for the role alongside Ramos.

Girona

During his team's 2-0 home defeat to Huesca last weekend, Bernardo Espinosa received a red card so will be forced out of Eusebio Sacristan's starting line-up. The Girona manager does not have the luxury of choice this week as his side is riddled with injuries - for example, Johan Mojica, Aday and Marc Muniesa to name a few.

Leading scorer Cristhian Stuani will lead the away side's attack while Anthony Lozano and Douglas Luiz will both be hoping to make an appearance at the Bernebeu having not featured against Huesca.

MANAGERS' THOUGHTS

Santiago Solari

"We are all very well, it is a very stimulating moment of the season and we are united with the clear objective of winning. We know that Girona are a very dangerous side, with a really specific system, which they execute very well. We'll need to be focused and alert throughout the whole 90 minutes if we're to dominate proceedings and not have a hard time of things."

Eusebio Sacristán

"We have to work with the team's consistency in all areas of the field, not just in defence. The defence's task in done in a group."

"We enter a section of the season in which we need everybody. Players have started returning and this is very positive. In Robert's case, he is close to rejoining but we must be careful with his progression."

"You have to compete with the mindset that in each match we have to add points and change the dynamic."

FORM GUIDE

DID YOU KNOW?

The pair have met three times already this season, with Madrid clinching a 4-1 victory in the reverse league match. Solari's side also beat Girona in the Copa del Rey, finishing 7-3 on aggregate.

The two met for the first time in La Liga last season at the Bernebeu, where Madrid recorded a 6-3 win (Ronaldo laying claim to four of Los Blancos' goals).