Real Madrid coach Arbeloa faces significant adjustments in his starting lineup for the upcoming match against Valencia due to key player absences. With Bellingham, Vinicius, and Rodrygo ruled out, Arbeloa has spent the week focused solely on preparing the team for the challenge at Mestalla—a rare luxury given the current congested schedule.
The coach has hinted that the lineup remains uncertain until the team travels to Valencia on Sunday morning, but there is optimism around the potential returns of Trent, Rüdiger, and Mendy. Trent, in particular, stands a good chance of starting, which would address the right-back position and enable Valverde to shift back into midfield.
Valencia will face a depleted Real Madrid team with notable absences. Vinicius is suspended after accumulating his fifth yellow card, while Bellingham sustains an injury from a recent match. Rodrygo has also been sidelined due to tendinosis in his right hamstring, ruling him out for a couple of weeks and limiting options in the forward line.
In defense, Asencio and Huijsen are likely to start as the central pairing, with Carreras taking up the left-back role. Midfield sees Tchouaméni retain his spot, while Valverde and Camavinga return to bolster the middle after their defensive roles in previous matches.
The absence of Vinicius and Rodrygo paves the way for tactical flexibility. Güler is expected to push higher into the attack’s right flank, while Arbeloa must decide between featuring Mastantuono or Brahim on the left. Mbappé, the league’s leading scorer with 22 goals, remains a key offensive threat and looks to build on his previous success against Valencia.
Arbeloa will finalize the squad before the trip to Valencia, with Lunin, Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy, Fran García, Ceballos, and Gonzalo expected to include in the lineup. Academy players David Jiménez and Cestero, both part of Saturday’s final training session, may also make the journey.
With the anticipated returns of Trent, Rüdiger, and Mendy, there is hope for Real Madrid as they navigate this challenging period, aiming to secure a vital victory.