Alvaro Arbeloa made it clear in the press room that Real Madrid is not in the mood for experimentation against Girona. It is a reality that what is best for the team is a convincing victory, but beyond that, it means not being definitively cut adrift in LaLiga. Five days before visiting Bayern Munich, another defeat would be the worst medicine.

So against Girona, Madrid will go out with the best they have. For a start, it is important for the coach to gauge the options he has to replace Tchouameni in the search for a comeback in Germany. The former Monaco man has been a fixture in the midfield and the coach has already confirmed that against Girona Camavinga will play. He will probably play alongside his compatriot, as he is unavailable against Bayern so he has no reason to rest.

Arbeloa was keen to make it clear that Camavinga is an option and that he is playing with him, although he has not started, because of injuries on the one hand, but also with the emergence of Thiago Pitarch. The former Rennes player has always said that where he feels best is in the midfield, although he has played little in that position. But he is not the only option. Guler, Valverde himself and Thiago can play in that position in Munich. Even Jude Bellingham can lend a hand in that area of the field.

For this reason, given that Bellingham will also be in the starting line-up, the Girona match will be a good testing ground for Arbeloa to correct if they want to have a chance of a comeback. One of the things that worries him the most, as he confessed after the match, is to balance the midfield battle and be able to have the ball to prevent the team from being at the mercy of the Germans and at the mercy of counter-attacks, as happened in the first leg at the Bernabeu.

Another test for Militao and Mendy

Arbeloa also confirmed that Militao will return to the starting line-up. In the last two games he has come on in the second half, half an hour in Mallorca and another 28 minutes against Bayern. His inclusion in the starting line-up on Friday is the last step towards his return to the starting line-up and a little more playing time ahead of the match at the Allianz Arena.

In the case of Mendy, his presence is more up in the air. He is much closer to the limit. He will not be a starter, but the idea is that he could have some minutes before the match against Bayern. In this way, he could check his condition and arrive with some playing time under his belt for Wednesday’s clash.