Real Madrid face Valencia this Friday January 3 at Mestalla (9:00 p.m., GMT+1) in a late match on matchday 12 of La Liga. This meeting offers Real the opportunity to temporarily take the lead in the standings in the event of a victory.
Real Madrid begins its year 2025 this Friday, with a perilous trip to Valencia, for the late match of the 12th day of La Liga.
Currently one point behind leader Atlético Madrid, a victory would allow Real Madrid to overtake their rival and establish themselves in a strong position in the title race. Valencia, for their part, are going through a difficult period with a series of mixed results (two defeats and two draws in the last four matches) and will approach this confrontation with a new coach, which adds additional uncertainty to the meeting.
A strengthened group
Real Madrid has communicated the list of players summoned for this trip to Valencia. There we find goalkeepers Courtois, Lunin and Fran González; defenders Lucas Vazquez, Vallejo, Fran Garcia, Rüdiger, Mendy and Asencio; midfielders Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Modric, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler and Ceballos; and finally the attackers Vinicius, Mbappé, Rodrygo, Endrick and Brahim.
The Real Madrid infirmary has been considerably emptied in recent weeks, excellent news for Carlo Ancelotti. Only the long-term injured, Carvajal and Militao, as well as David Alaba, still in the recovery phase, will be missing. The Austrian, however, has returned to training with the group and could be an option for this match.
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Regarding the team composition, Ancelotti should bring back a large part of the players who started the match against Sevilla before the winter break. We can therefore expect a defense composed of Vazquez, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger and Fran, with Courtois in goal. In midfield, the trio Camavinga, Valverde and Bellingham should be renewed, while the attack will probably be entrusted to Mbappé, Vinicius and Rodrygo.
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