Real Madrid will aim to end the 2024/25 La Liga season on a high when they welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon. Carlo Ancelotti has a new roster issue to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture and his final with Los Blancos at the Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham is the latest absentee after picking up a yellow card against Sevilla last weekend, thus earning a suspension. The English international has joined Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Eduardo Camavinga, and Rodrygo on the sidelines. However, Vinicius Junior is back in the squad for the final La Liga game of the 2024/25 season.
Brahim Diaz is also back, and the Moroccan international will likely start on the bench. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti did not provide a fitness update on any player. Instead, he discussed Luka Modric’s impact, with the Croatian international set for his final appearance for Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Real Madrid manager said, “The club has everything it needs to be competitive next year with a new coach or new players. The goal will be the same as ever. Modric has been an example for everyone. There are so many quality players in modern football. What’s really made him stand out is his ability to combine that quality with his spirit. That’s what has seen him become a Real Madrid legend. Not everyone is capable of combining the two.”
Discussing the end of an era at Real Madrid, Ancelotti said, “Modric is one of the last of a truly special golden generation. Carvajal is the last guy here but the cycle has come to an end. It’s not about the club needing to build a new generation, there are players who have been here a long time like Camavinga, Rodrygo or Vinicius.”
“Madridismo shouldn’t be concerned, this is a club that always wants to be at the very highest level. Modrić’s time here is over, as is mine, and Kroos, Casemiro, Cristiano, Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Casillas before us… But Real Madrid continues to be the greatest club in the world.”
Thibaut Courtois will take his spot between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-4-2 formation in front of him against Real Sociedad on Sunday. The backline should feature Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Fran Garcia.
As for the midfield unit, Luka Modric will make his final start at the Bernabeu, lining up alongside Federico Valverde in the central areas. Arda Guler and Dani Ceballos should feature on the flanks, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior being the two strikers.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Tchouameni, Fran Garcia; Guler, Valverde, Modric, Ceballos; Vinicius Junior, Mbappe
