Zinedine Zidane has announced his matchday squad for Sunday afternoon’s La Liga clash against Valencia at the Alfredo Di Stéfano.

The French football tactician has omitted Spanish-Nigerian youngster Marvin Akinlabi from the nineteen-man group, naming Kroos, Modrić, Casemiro, Isco and Arribas as the midfielders in the squad.

Predominantly a right-sided midfielder, Akinlabi was deployed in a wing-back role in Los Blancos’ last match against Getafe, a game in which he made his full debut for the Spanish champions.

The 20-year-old was very impressive in his first-ever start in La Liga but suffered an injury and was hauled off in the 55th minute.

Zidane admitted post-match that the substitution was supposed to be Vinícius for Arribas but he changed his plan after Akinlabi’s injury.

Akinlabi has not been spotted training with Real Madrid first team since he picked up the injury and the initial prognosis is that he won’t be out of action for a long time.

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