Three talking points ahead of Racing Santander vs Real Madrid | La Liga MD 11

Three talking points ahead of Racing Santander vs Real Madrid | La Liga MD 11Real Madrid are back in action in La Liga tomorrow as they lock horns against recently promoted side Racing Santander away from home while still on the post-Clasico euphoria.Despite coming up from the second division only this season, Racing Santander’s start to the season has been relatively impressive as they have racked up three wins and two draws in their games so far.They currently sit in 15th place, two points clear of the relegation zone, and have scored 15 goals so far. Their defence, however, has conceded 26 goals so far and is the worst in the division in that sense.Having just won the game against Barcelona under pressure, Real Madrid are the overwhelming favourites to keep the momentum going tomorrow evening.Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Racing Santander vs Real Madrid.Riding on the highThe win over Barcelona last weekend was the best possible result Real Madrid could have asked for, as it seemingly kills two birds with one stone.For starters, the morale in the dressing room is undoubtedly at the highest it has been all season.Real Madrid are on a run of five consecutive wins. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)After a slow start to the season, Los Blancos appear to be peaking at the right time and finally appear to have a certain flow and versatility to their style of play, which has been lacking for a long time now.Concurrently, the team managed to deliver a crushing blow to their arch-rivals Barcelona, who entered the game as favorites and the team in form, but finished it with more questions than answers.At this point in time, the momentum is completely on Real Madrid’s side, and it is crucial that Los Blancos utilize it to the fullest and ride the high.After all, they simply cannot afford to lose the steam that they finally have in their favor just when they seem to be getting started. Tomorrow’s game, if anything, must be another statement win that shows the world that Real Madrid can be consistent.The right-back situationFederico Valverde has not been at his 100% physically for a reasonable time now, and the player pushed himself to start at right-back in recent games, given that it was a necessity for the team.Now, however, he will be unavailable for the game against Racing Santander in a bid to return to full fitness. The focus, thus, is back on the natural right-backs.Despite being trained in the defensive position specifically, both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries have been pushed to the bench in recent games, with Valverde taking over at right-back.With the captain out, the players will have a golden chance to prove their worth to the manager and reclaim a spot that is deservedly theirs.Jose Mourinho spoke in his pre-match press conference about how it was not easy for him to bench both the natural right-backs for prolonged periods, especially with a player playing out of position replacing them.Will Trent get a look-in? (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)Now, it will be interesting to see which of the two players gets the nod for tomorrow’s game if the captain is indeed out. After all, this is a golden chance for both the players to stake a claim for a starting position.Steady steps for MilitaoEder Militao’s return from injury earlier this month came as massive news for the Real Madrid faithful who have been awaiting his return for a long time. After all, the Brazilian star is widely considered the team’s best defender.Recent years have not been easy for the centre-back, and back-to-back injuries have denied him continuity and game time. He has spent the better part of the past two years on the sidelines, and there is hope that he could be back for good.What is critical at this point, however, is staging his comeback and ensuring that he stays fit while being slowly reintroduced into the team’s dynamics.Militao returned to the field after close to six months in the team’s win over Sevilla, but understandably stayed on the bench against RB Leipzig and Barcelona.Now with the big games past the club, he could well see increasing prominence in the team’s upcoming games with the idea of a gradual re-incorporation.He will not start, but could come on for meaningful minutes against Racing tomorrow if the game conditions permit such a substitution.