Real Madrid faces the general rehearsal in Kroos’ farewell
Ancelotti’s men are tested against Betis at home with the gala eleven for the Champions League final in the farewell to a Bernabéu legend
MADRID, 25 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid faces Real Betis this Saturday on the last day of LaLiga EA Sports 2023-2024, which is the general rehearsal prior to the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1, so the eleven is expected gala, with Toni Kroos who will experience an emotional farewell at the Santiago Bernabéu after announcing his retirement at the end of the season, while the green and white want to finish with a good image in a stadium that has not been good at it recently.
The Madrid fiefdom hosts this Saturday (9:00 p.m.) matchday 38 between Real Madrid and Real Betis, in a weekend in which there is nothing at stake at the championship, European and relegation level – for the third time in LaLiga history – -. Although the one at the Bernabéu will be an important duel as it is the last of the Madridistas before the Champions League final, and the last of the German Toni Kroos with Real Madrid in Chamartín.
The midfielder surprised and shook the world of football and Real Madrid fans this Tuesday by announcing a surprising farewell after the Euro Cup, although only to a certain point. Because the white ‘8’ always stated that he would not stretch the gum and would go to the top, without suffering the decline that accompanies the passage of time.
Kroos will have an emotional farewell to the embrace of his fans, his teammates and his people, as he also keeps his word regarding his bond with Real Madrid: “It is and will be my last club,” said the midfielder in his farewell message, after a decade at the white club, which he arrived in the summer of 2014, months after achieving the ‘Décima’, of which this Friday marks ten years.
The ‘diesel’ Kroos will start in a match that aspires to be the mood and confidence thermometer of a team that, champion two weeks ago, has been able to manage the minutes and the loads. And after the appearance again of the ‘B’ unit in Villarreal, where he crossed paths with Sörloth’s poker (4-4), it is the turn of what will presumably be the eleven that Carlo Ancelotti will line up at Wembley.
Thus, a Courtois who seems to return to his best form will return to the starting lineup, and after the four goals conceded by a Lunin who already seemed to take over as a substitute in London. In defense, the only question is whether Militao will repeat against Betis or whether Nacho – who could face his last game at the club – will play, along with Rüdiger, Carvajal and Mendy. Valverde and Camavinga, without an injured Tchouameni who will be absent from the final, will accompany the ‘8’ with Bellingham, Vinícius and Rodrygo sharpening their aim for next Saturday, June 1.
The Madrid team, which wants to close the championship undefeated at home (W16 and D2) and with only one defeat in the entire season at the Metropolitano, receives a Real Betis that has scored points in five of its last six visits to Chamartín, with three draws and two victories, the last in 2019. However, the last victory over the whites was in March 2022 at the Benito Villamarín.
The Green and Whites want to end with a smile a season marked by the irregularity in which they certified their qualification for the Conference League. Thus, they will not play in the Europa League for the first time in the last four years. Although the task of this day is not easy for Manuel Pellegrini’s men, who have not competed with their predecessors away from home, although they have fixed their dynamics away from Seville by linking three games (W2, of the 5 total, and D1) without losing as a visitor.
The situation, with ‘nothing’ at stake, favors Real Madrid’s favoritism, reinforced by the ten losses, in addition, that Betis presents. Bartra, Bakambu, Isco, ‘Chimy’ Ávila, Carvalho, Guido, Pezzella, Fornals and Rui Silva due to injury, while Riad is dropped from the squad, already very close to leaving for Crystal Palace.
In the eleven, Bravo and Sokratis will say goodbye as starters, Roca would take the Moroccan’s place at the back, with Altimira in the engine room. Rodri would appear on the right and Ayoze on the left, with Willian José as the striker.
DATASHEET.
–POSIBLE ALIGNMENTS:
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Cross, Bellingham; Rodrygo and Vinicius.
REAL BETIS: Bravo; Sabaly, Sokratis, Marc Roca, Mirando; Altimira, Cardoso, Fekir; Rodri, Willian José and Ayoze Pérez.
–REFEREE: Diaz de Mera Escuderos (C. Spanish-Manchego).
–Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
–TIME: 9:00 p.m./Movistar LaLiga and Movistar Plus+.
2024-05-25 08:28:26
#Real #Madrid #faces #general #rehearsal #Kroos #farewell
