A midweek Copa Del Rey game directly before an El Clasico might normally present problems for a coach, but Real Madrid's demolition of Cultural Leonesa in the first leg of this tie means that Zinedine Zidane will implement a huge rotation on his side. The Frenchman will allow those who haven't seen too many minutes to play, whilst resting almost all of the star players who will start the game against Barcelona on Saturday. Of the possible eleven that will begin the game at the Camp Nou, Casemiro is the only one who will definitely start the cup game. Zidane confirmed that in his press conference before the match with Sporting. The reason? So that the Brazilian can pick up some match fitness after two months out, and before Los Blancos' biggest game of the season.
Revolution
The changes will start in goal, Kiko Casillas replacing Keylor Navas. At the back, there should be minutes for Danilo and Nacho whilst James Rodriguez and Marco Asensio will start in midfield. Up front, Mariano is likely to play the whole game and it's also possible that some Real Madrid Castilla players will get an opportunity with Martin Odegaard, Enzo Zidane and Sergio Diaz the most likely. Although he will be just 32 years of age when his current Real Madrid contract ends, Toni Kroos has suggested that he may well retire from football at that point. Unlike teammate Cristiano Ronaldo who wants to play on until he is 41, the German thinks the time will be right to go out whilst still at the top of his game. "When I finish [the current deal] I will be 32, an age at which one has already given their best," Kroos told Kicker. "It's a good age to leave because my intention is not to play on until I'm 38 or 39." Somewhat bizarrely, the World Cup winner was asked if he would help out his club in El Clasico, despite being ruled out until the new year with a metatarsal injury. "I don't even contemplate it, out of respect for the supporters and tradition," he continued.
Kroos also had his say on the Thomas Muller controversy and just how well Red Bull Leipzig are doing in the Bundesliga. "Those games [Germany-San Marino] should be reconsidered, the groups should be reduced and the most modest teams placed elsewhere - in another group for example. "Mateschitz [RB Leipzig's owner] could've bought three yachts or planes but instead he has invested in football. "They don't have star players and you wouldn't recognise them on the street."Time and experience has allowed the player to develop and become decisive for Los Blancos. His progression has been steady since he debuted seven seasons ago with the first team under Jose Mourinho and a sign of just how well he is evolving as a defender is that he always knows how to take advantage of the minutes he's given.
Defensive solidity
Real have only lost five matches in the 88 that Nacho has been part of.His defensive excellence is his main asset but his evolution in other aspects of the game have made him a galactico of this Madrid side. The supporters at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu know that they have a multi-purpose player and it's usual to see him both in central defence or attacking on the left side. Such versatility ensures his importance to Zidane and Saturday's game against Sporting was just another example of his growth and determination. After 18 minutes, a cross from Nacho was dispatched by Cristiano Ronaldo to make the score 2-0, but it's not the first time the defender has been decisive in that area of the pitch. In the first leg of the match against Cultural Leonesa, he emulated Zidane with a spectacular scissor-kick volley and although he has such ability, it's true to say that he is not retained purely on the strength of being another attacking option when required. His progression has also seen deserved international honours come his way with Spain. Vicente Del Bosque gave Nacho his debut in a friendly against Chile in October 2013 and then, after two years of absence, he returned for the final Euro 2016 qualifiers. Now, with Julen Lopetegui in charge, the player is almost assured regular employment at national level for the new coach knows all about him having been in charge of the U21 side - that included Nacho- when they conquered Europe.
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