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Real Madrid have suffered yet another injury setback ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against Girona, with yet another central defender struck by fitness issues. Nacho is the latest victim, with muscle fatigue preventing him from training all week and ultimately taking part in the LaLiga clash.

Rüdiger set to return after missing Madrid derby

The 34-year-old is, however, expected to return for the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie against RB Leipzig on Tuesday. As a result of Nacho’s absence, Antonio Rüdiger will almost certainly start despite suffering a quad injury in the defeat to Getafe a little over a week ago. The German isn’t 100% fit but the club’s medical staff believe there is little danger of him suffering a relapse and he looks set to play through the pain barrier after missing last weekend’s derby draw against Atlético Madrid.

The rest of the team almost picks itself. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will be forced to start alongside Rüdiger in defence, leaving Eduardo Camavinga as one of the two central midfielders alongside Toni Kroos. The future of the former Bayern Munich man has come back into spotlight this week, with manager Carlo Ancelotti saying in his pre-match press conference “he will have a lot of character, a lot of balls, if he retires in four months’ time.” The Santiago Bernabéu faithful, who will have the chance to watch live NFL action before too long, may well try to influence his decision from the stands against the Girona and will be hoping he opts to stay for at least another year.

Vinícius also fit after recent neck injury

Like Rüdiger, Vinícius Júnior also sat out last Sunday’s derby after feeling some pain in his neck during the warm-up. The Brazilian has now fully recovered and will start in attack, as usual. The big question is whether Ancelotti opts to rotate with the Champions League on the horizon, although it seems unlikely given the magnitude of the game. With that in mind, Rodrygo should start in attack alongside his compatriot.

Real Madrid’s possible starting XI to play Girona

Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo and Vinícius.

Los Blancos head into the game two points ahead of their opponents, who few would have expected to be anywhere near the top of the table at this stage of the season. Both teams have lost just once in LaLiga, with Madrid inflicting Girona’s only loss at Montilivi in September. You can follow live text coverage of the clash at the Bernanéu, which kicks off at 12:30 p.m. ET, on AS USA.