The nerves at the Santiago Bernabéu offices look way calmer now compared to the time when the club slipped to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Real Mallorca.
On Sunday, Real Madrid took-on Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabéu in what was a must win and boy did they deliver. After a 3-0 comfortable win at the end, the merengues are now gearing up for their next contest on Thursday against las Palmas, a game where Ancelotti envisage some rotations.
How the lineup could look like
Spanish newspaper Relevo were quick to suggest Thursdays lineup:
Gk: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Carvajal – Militão – Rüdiger – Mendy
Midfield: Valverde – Brahim Diaz – Tchouaméni
Attack: Arda Güler – Mbappe – Vinicius
Major changes
As compared to the team that played in the weekend, this lineup sees some big changes in all departments of the pitch including the defence, midfield and attack.
Firstly in defence, although Fran Garcia had a superb game showing against Real Valladolid, Carlo Ancelotti has decided to bank on the expertise of Ferland Mendy. Ancelotti sees the Frenchman as the best in the world so this doesn’t really come as a surprise.
In midfield, Ancelotti has chosen the talent of Brahim Diaz over the “know-how” of luka Modrić as the replacement for the injured Jude Bellingham who is set to be out for at least one month.
Lastly, in attack, Ancelotti according to the media outlet will take the risk of benching Rodrygo Goes for the promising Arda Güler who is a more natural Right-winger.
How this lineup could operate
If this was to ever be the case on Thursday, then Ancelotti would have gone for a raw 4-3-3, with a right winger who cuts from the right and a left winger who cuts from the left.
This would balance the game, avoiding scenarios where Mbappe, Vinicius and Rodrygo have all often been seen on the left.
Players like Luka Modrić and Dani Ceballos would be Amongst the first subs while Endrick might also see another late Cameo.