After a disappointing last season, Real Madrid would try to make amends in the fresh league campaign which kicks off today. Los Blancos finished 19 points behind the 2018/19 league champions, Barcelona.
In order to improve their squad, Fiorentino Perez has invested extensively in the club's rebuild phase. Until now, Madrid have spent over £300 million in the transfer market, signing the likes of Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Luka Jovic, and Takefusa Kubo.
Having said that, Zinedine Zidane's men face a tough trip to Vigo for their first league clash of the season, facing Celta de Vigo tomorrow at Balaidos. The Celticos too had a disappointing campaign- avoiding relegation by a four-point margin.
Team News
Despite making positive strides in the transfer market this summer, Real Madrid have suffered a sub-standard pre-season campaign due to players' fitness issues. For the opening game, Ferland Mendy, Brahim Diaz, Marco Asensio, and Rodrygo are unavailable due to injuries.
To pile up the misery for Zidane, Eden Hazard, Madrid's most expensive buy this summer, has suffered an injury too, which could keep him out for at least 2-3 weeks.
However, Sergio Ramos returned after a muscular issue and trained with the side for the last week. The skipper is set to feature for Madrid against Celta de Vigo.
Also, Alvaro Odriozola is set to deputise for Dani Carvajal at right-back as the latter picked up a yellow card in Madrid's last league gam of the 2018/19 season.
Suspensions: Dani Carvajal
Injuries: Ferland Mendy (hamstring), Brahim Diaz (hamstring), Rodrygo (hamstring), Marco Asensio (ACL), Eden Hazard (thigh)
Predicted Line-up
To shore up his leaky defence, Zinedine Zidane, towards the end of pre-season, tried multiple systems with three centre backs. The French tactician is set to stick with a 3-5-2 formation.
Real Madrid(3-5-2): Courtois; Militao, Ramos, Varane; Odriozola, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Marcelo; Isco, Benzema