Girona will visit Real Madrid in about eight hours for one of the most important games in La Liga this season.

At the moment, Real Madrid is in first place in La Liga, with Girona in second place, only two points behind.
Tonight’s game comes after both teams lost their last game. Carlo Ancelotti’s team was held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid, and Michel’s team played Real Sociedad to a goalless draw.

The game at the Santiago Bernabeu should be very exciting since the top spot and an edge in the race for the La Liga title are at stake. 

Bad news: Real Madrid leader Nacho Fernandez is hurt. Good news: Antonio Rudiger and Vinicius Jr. are back in the team after missing the derby. Aurelien Tchouameni is also back from ban, which gives Ancelotti more choices.

Here is how Real Madrid’s manager could set up his team to play their other title contenders at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Starting Points
Ancelotti hasn’t said for sure who his first-choice custodian is, but Andriy Lunin seems to have beaten Kepa Arrizabalaga and will start tonight for Real Madrid against Girona.

Antonio Rudiger is likely to go right back into the starting lineup after coming back from surgery, according to the boss. The French player will play as a makeshift centre back while the German player teams up with Aurelien Tchouameni. 
This means that Dani Carvajal can play his chosen position as a right back instead of centre back like he did in the match against Atletico Madrid. Before Fran Garcia, Ferland Mendy should keep going on the left side.Eduardo Camavinga is the natural choice to play defensive midfield for Real Madrid tonight since Tchouameni is in defence.

Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde are expected to play with the Frenchman as the two inner midfielders. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if Kroos sat lower with Camavinga and Valverde slid out to the right side. 

Jude Bellingham will be Real Madrid’s fourth midfielder. He will play behind the two forwards in a free role and often move out to the left.

While Brahim Diaz played well against Atletico Madrid last week, Vinicius Jr. is now back and is likely to start ahead of the Brazilian. It would be smart for Rodrygo Goes to attack with his friend.

Different kinds of
Brahim Diaz will definitely come on at some point in the second half to help Real Madrid attack. Joselu is another player that Ancelotti will use to change things up front. 

Vazquez is also expected to play, especially if the boss decides not to push Rudiger too hard when he comes back. He would play right back instead of Carvajal, who would move to centre back.

Not much has been playing for Luka Modric lately, but he should get some playing time today against Girona. Mendy could be replaced by Fran Garcia if Real Madrid wants to add more attack to the left side of the pitch.