Zinedine Zidane has made three changes to the Real Madrid side that were defeated by Levante on the weekend ahead of tonight’s massive clash with Manchester City.
In defence, Ferland Mendy replaces Marcelo at left-back. The Frenchman will have to stay focused at all times to keep Man City’s fierce attack at bay.
Promising midfielder Fede Valverde comes into the starting eleven for Toni Kroos in a move that has sparked controversy from some supporters.
Brazilian ace Vinicius Junior starts after Eden Hazard was injured during Los Blancos’ last match. Superstars Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale are on the bench for the Bernabeu outfit.
Take a look at Los Blancos’ lineup for tonight’s mammoth encounter below:
?? Our starting XI ? @ManCity! #RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/x9N8CcaEDc
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) February 26, 2020
Here’s how some Madrid supporters have reacted to Zidane’s teamsheet:
Where is kroos??? tommorow is my birthday ???
— eva (@madridlover__) February 26, 2020
Where is Kroos naaaaaaa???????
— somebody (@EmmanuelAdibe4) February 26, 2020
Why is Kroos benched??
— Brady (@PatsAndCs) February 26, 2020
Kross on bench ????
— Syed Anas Ali Shah (@SyedAnasAliSha7) February 26, 2020
Everything is fine but Kroos on the bench
— Justin Cosing (@JustinCosing1) February 26, 2020
Why is @ToniKroos not in Starting XI ????
— Souravsharma (@issourav) February 26, 2020
Kroos?
— Sayan Majhi (@isayanmajhi) February 26, 2020
Kroos? Idk mate
— David ?? (@davidr51892) February 26, 2020
No kroos.. Okay. Modric it’s your day. You either make or break.. Let’s do this. Vamos!
— Kamlesh Mukhopadhyay (@H0m0_Bakchodian) February 26, 2020
No Kroos on a big champions league night ??
— Fidvi (@hatimonly4u) February 26, 2020
Whilst it’s understandable to see some fans questioning Zidane for dropping Kross, this decision may make a whole load of sense giving Man City’s style of play.
Pep Guardiola’s team love to dominate the possession, so having two playmakers in Luka Modric and Kroos on the pitch could work against Los Blancos.
Valverde has been impressive since breaking into Madrid’s first team and the Uruguayan boasts the energy needed for the La Liga giants to really take the game to City.