Sergio Ramos is set to return to the starting eleven when Real Madrid host Levante at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Club football action has resumed following the international break. In La Liga, Real Madrid will be aiming to return to winning ways and keep pace with Barcelona when they play hosts to Levante at the Bernabeu on Saturday. Here’s the all-important team news ahead of their match on Saturday.
Zinedine Zidane has no fresh injury concerns to report this week, with only one player on the treatment table. Raphael Varane remains sidelined due to the abductor injury that he sustained in Real Madrid’s season opener against Deportivo La Coruna.
Providing the update on his team during his pre-match press conference, Zidane said, “The best news is that we’ve not had much in terms of injuries, Ceballos aside. That’s the best thing for a coach. The guys who stayed here have worked very well.”
Keylor Navas, though, is a major absentee from Zidane’s matchday squad after missing training on Thursday. Kiko Casilla is likely to deputise in the absence of the Costa Rican. Cristiano Ronaldo, too, is unavailable as he serves the penultimate game of his five-match ban.
? #RealMadrid 18 ? ? @LevanteUD
? Sábado | Saturday
⏰ 13:00 CEST
? Santiago Bernabéu
? LaLiga#RMMovistar #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/xssALA8zlR— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 8, 2017
On Ronaldo, Zidane said that the Portuguese superstar is raring to go after enduring a frustrating spell on the sidelines. “Yes, he can’t wait. He’s fed up of not playing for us. He did a great job for his national team, and he’ll be able to play in the Champions League on Wednesday. He’s very happy, as are we.”
Sergio Ramos is available for selection after serving his own one-game ban in the match against Valencia. Also back in contention is Jesus Vallejo, who has made the matchday squad for the first time this season after recovering from a knock.
Dani Ceballos, though, is a slight doubt due to a neck sprain that he suffered while on international duty with the Spain under-21 side. The young midfielder has been picked in the matchday squad though, even as his availability hangs in the balance.
Casemiro, too, has made the squad despite missing training on Thursday. Should the Brazilian midfielder miss the cut on Saturday, Mateo Kovacic should get the nod.
Meanwhile, Levante boss Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz will be without the services of Jose Luis Morales, who is suspended after being sent off against Deportivo La Coruna two weeks ago. The Spaniard joins striker long-term absentee Roger Marti on the sidelines. Muniz has a full-strength squad otherwise.
