WHY KYLIAN MBAPPE NEEDS TWO GOALS TONIGHT TO MAKE REAL MADRID CLUB HISTORY
Kylian Mbappé is one goal from equaling and two from breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2013 record. See the Real Madrid vs Sevilla preview.
Get ready for a packed house at the Bernabéu, where over 80,000 fans will be watching Real Madrid wrap up the year against Sevilla this Saturday night.
Real Madrid is eager to put 2025 behind it. They didn't win any trophies, said goodbye to club legends Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modrić, and spent much of the year chasing Barcelona in the La Liga standings.
Right now, Real Madrid is four points behind their rivals. They're hoping to close that gap, even if just for a bit, with a win against Sevilla in their last game of the year. Real hasn't lost to Sevilla in 13 games, but Sevilla has only managed to win six games this season.
But recent ties with Rayo Vallecano, Girona, and Elche, not to mention a surprising loss to Celta Vigo, might show Matías Almeyda’s team how to get a decent result against Xabi Alonso’s struggling squad.
Real Madrid Team News
Alonso still can't count on Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, and Éder Militão because they are still injured. Plus, Brahim Díaz is playing for Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations, and Álvaro Carreras and Endrick are still suspended.
The good news for the Spaniard is that Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, and David Alaba are back in training before Saturday's game. These three are trying hard to be ready for Sevilla. Meanwhile, Fran García is expected to start at left back after being suspended for one game.
Everyone's eyes will be on Kylian Mbappé, though, as he could make club history. If he scores two goals, he'll break Cristiano Ronaldo's record for the most goals scored in a year by a Real Madrid player.
Sevilla Team News
Almeyda has to work around many players unavailable for the trip to the Bernabéu on Saturday. Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke are playing for Nigeria in AFCON, and a bunch of Sevilla players are still out.
Rubén Vargas, Adnan Januzaj, Tanguy Nianzou, and Gabriel Suazo are all injured. Kike Salas, Marcão, César Azpilicueta, and Ørjan Nyland might not be fit in time for the club’s last game of the year.
Alexis Sánchez, formerly of Arsenal, is likely to lead Almeyda’s attack with Isaac Romero, who’s back from suspension. They will try to repeat their performance against Barcelona, where they both scored, leading Sevilla to a shocking win over the La Liga champions.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Sevilla
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Huijsen, F. García; Güler, Tchouaméni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappé.
Sevilla Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid
Sevilla predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (5-3-2): Vlachodimos; Carmona, Cardoso, Gudelj, López, Oso; Sow, Agoumé, Mendy; Romero, A. Sánchez.
WHY AC MILAN ARE TURNING TO REAL MADRID’S BACKUP ANDRIY LUNIN TO REPLACE MIKE MAIGNAN
AC Milan is preparing a €15M bid for Andriy Lunin. Discover why the Real Madrid keeper is now the favourite to take over at San Siro.
AC Milan might go after Andriy Lunin from Real Madrid this summer, according to Defensa Central. Apparently, Milan is having trouble getting Mike Maignan to sign a new contract.
So, Lunin is high on their list as a possible replacement. He did sign a deal to stay with Real Madrid until 2030, but Milan is still watching him while things with Maignan are up in the air.
Reportedly, Milan gave Maignan a final offer of €7 million per season, but he's not sure about it. Because of this, the club is now scouting for other options.
If Maignan leaves, Milan's bosses plan to offer between €10 million and €15 million for Lunin. They think that's a fair price for a keeper with his experience.
Real Madrid usually doesn't do winter transfers. The club has already said they won't sell anyone in January, except for loaning Endrick to Lyon. So, they won't even think about a deal for Lunin until the season is over.
Lunin turned down offers from Turkish clubs last summer to compete for his spot at Real Madrid. The chance to start every week at Milan could change his mind. At 26, he's currently Courtois' backup. A move in 2026 could give him the playing time he wants. Manchester United was also interested in Lunin last summer, so there'll be plenty of teams after him.
Why Real Madrid Should Ask for More or Keep Lunin
Lunin showed what he's capable of when he filled in for Courtois. He has the skills to play at the highest level. He saved Real Madrid many times, including in important Champions League games. Because of his input, his value has increased.
The rumoured price of €10 million to €15 million seems too low. Lunin was key to Real Madrid's defence for most of the 2023/24 season. Real Madrid should ask for way more if they decide to sell. If not, they should keep him as a backup in case Courtois gets hurt again.
Selling him for that little would be a mistake. It’s almost impossible to find another backup as good as him for that price these days. It's hard to keep a keeper who wants to be the number one, but Xabi Alonso thinks having a deep squad is very important.
Real Madrid needs to think about the money versus the risk on the field. Letting a talent like Lunin go for cheap would be a bad move. Madrid should keep him unless Milan makes a much better offer. Having two top-notch goalkeepers creates a sense of security that money can't often buy.
MARKET REPORT: WHY CHELSEA IS SUDDENLY THE FAVORITE TO RESIGN ANTONIO RüDIGER
Antonio Rüdiger is considering a shock return to Chelsea as Real Madrid pause contract talks. Read why Xabi Alonso is hesitant.
Word on the street is that Antonio Rudiger might head back to Chelsea. The Real Madrid player is thinking about coming back to the Premier League. His deal with Real Madrid runs out in 2026, and he hasn't agreed to a new one yet. There's talk he might leave next summer and maybe even team up with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
Contract Talks On Hold
Back in November, Marca said that Rudiger and Real Madrid started talking about a new contract, but those talks are on pause now. His current contract is up at the end of the season. They started talking months ago, threw some numbers around, and both sides seemed to want a deal.
But they stopped talking after Rudiger hurt his muscle in September. They decided it wasn't right to make a deal while he was getting better.
Back to Chelsea?
Rudiger played for Chelsea for five years, winning a Champions League title, before moving to Real Madrid in 2022. Now, he might go back to Chelsea. There are rumours that Chelsea wants him back next summer, according to Diario AS.
Also, Paris Saint-Germain is interested, and Galatasaray is watching what's happening with him in Madrid.
Besides Europe, he's also wanted in Saudi Arabia. Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are thinking about trying to get him next year.
What Alonso Thinks
BILD said in October that Xabi Alonso, the Madrid boss, isn't totally sold on Rudiger. He thinks Rudiger has been getting injured too much and hasn't been playing consistently. Also, Dean Huijsen, who joined in the summer, has been playing great and has already won a starting spot. Huijsen and Eder Militao have been a solid pair in the back, but Militao got hurt recently.
Madrid Might Not Sign Two Defenders
Even with Rudiger's future up in the air, AS says that Madrid isn't looking to sign two defenders anymore. They were looking at Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool and Dayot Upamecano from Bayern Munich. Both of those guys might leave their clubs since they're in the last six months of their contracts.
There were reports that Real Madrid wasn't interested in Konate because he hadn't been playing well lately. They might still move next summer, but it probably won't be to Real Madrid.
Alonso's team plays Real Betis at home on January 4 after the winter break.