Real Madrid weigh up rotation as Racing Santander visit approaches

Real Madrid are expected to make several changes for Sunday’s La Liga trip to Racing Santander, with Thibaut Courtois set to return in goal and Vinicius Junior serving the third match of his suspension.

The match on 01 November 2026 comes during a demanding period for Real Madrid, who are scheduled to play three times in seven days. That is likely to lead to some rotation, although the starting line-up is not expected to be significantly altered.

Vinicius Junior will remain unavailable against Racing Santander but is expected to return to the starting XI for Wednesday’s Champions League match against AEK Athens.

According to the expected line-up published by AS, Yan Diomande is likely to retain his place on the left. He impressed during the clasico and showcased the talent he possesses.

Courtois is also set to return after recovering from influenza, which prevented him from travelling to Barcelona. The Belgium goalkeeper is expected to replace Andriy Lunin, who will move to the substitutes’ bench.

Dumfries favoured at right-back

Fede Valverde will miss the match, leaving Dumfries as the leading candidate to start at right-back. The Netherlands international is expected to begin ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, renewing the competition between the two players for the position.

The defence is likely to feature Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen in central defence, with Marc Cucurella at left-back. Antonio Rudiger is expected to start against AEK Athens instead.

Bernardo Silva is set to come into midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni. The Portugal international would provide Real Madrid with additional creativity and technical quality.

Jude Bellingham is expected to continue as the attacking midfielder, with freedom to move across the pitch. Arda Guler is set to operate on the right, while Diomande is expected to remain on the left.

Kylian Mbappe will lead the attack as Real Madrid seek to maintain their strength despite the absences and the need to manage their schedule.

The expected Real Madrid line-up is: Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Bernardo Silva, Tchouameni; Guler, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappe.