Real Madrid are preparing to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League as they look to continue their perfect record in the tournament.
Jose Mourinho is unlikely to make many changes to the starting line-up against the Bundesliga club despite an El Clasico ahead of them.
Now, according to Diario AS, Antonio Rudiger is expected to return to Real Madrid’s starting line-up for their game against Leipzig.
Mourinho is planning to put the veteran defender alongside Ibrahima Konate in the back line as he looks to get his structure right.
Rudiger and Konate expected to lead Madrid’s defence
Rudiger has been rotating with Dean Huijsen in central defence, but the German is now tipped to reclaim his starting position for the European fixture.
Konate, meanwhile, is expected to retain his place, setting up an experienced and physically imposing partnership.
The game also carries additional significance for the French international, who previously represented Leipzig before joining Liverpool in 2021.
Antonio Rudiger has been rotating with Dean Huijsen for minutes. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Denzel Dumfries is considered the favourite to start at right-back, while Marc Cucurella is expected to occupy the opposite flank.
With Thibaut Courtois behind them, Madrid could field a defensive unit combining physical strength, experience and attacking support from the full-back positions.
An important test before El Clasico
Rudiger’s expected return gives Mourinho another opportunity to assess his preferred defensive combinations before facing Barcelona.
His aggression in individual duels and ability to defend physically could prove valuable against Leipzig’s attacking players.
Konate offers similar strengths, particularly when covering space behind the defensive line. Together, they should be able to hold the fort against the German club.
Ibrahima Konate will come face-to-face with his former club tonight. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
However, their partnership will also need to demonstrate coordination in possession and the ability to play out from the back.
That becomes especially relevant ahead of the Clasico, where Barcelona’s movement between the lines and pace in wide areas will demand constant concentration.
Mourinho’s decision to start them together tonight could give him a clearer idea of whether to retain the partnership against Barça and play one of them alongside Dean Huijsen.
The priority for Madrid is to secure a victory against RB Leipzig, but the Barça game would also be on Mourinho’s mind, and it remains to be seen how the duo fare.