Real Madrid’s first outing in pre-season this summer sees Carlo Ancelotti’s side take on AC Milan at the Rose Bowl in in Pasadena, California on Sunday.
Karim Benzema has left the Bernabeu but Kylian Mbappe remains a Paris Saint-Germain player. However, Jude Bellingham has arrived in one of the summer’s biggest transfers and there is optimism for an improved 2023/24 season.
This clash will be Real’s first of four games as part of the Soccer Champions Tour before the start of La Liga in August. There is also a reunion for manager Ancelotti against a side he won legions of trophies with as a player and a coach.
Here’s the side Ancelotti could send out first before things go crazy and a billion substitutions are made at half time.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – Has had a dramatic summer which has put his future with international side Belgium at risk but Courtois faces no immediate threat at Real.
RB: Dani Carvajal – Real are once again heading into a new season with Spanish veteran Dani Carvajal their first choice at right back. Utility man Lucas Vazquez is the other option.
CB: Eder Militao – Recently admitted the Real squad were left upset by talisman Benzema’s summer departure to Saudi Arabia.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – Nacho may don the captain’s armband for the first time since being officially installed as club skipper.
LB: Fran Garcia – Ancelotti has hailed 18-year-old Garcia’s arrival at left back, admitting it was an area ‘where we had problems last season’. Eduardo Camavinga often filled in whenever Ferland Mendy was injured and David Alaba played in the middle.
CM: Jude Bellingham – The England international’s first outing with Real will be watched closely by Three Lions fans around the world. His arrival may even result in a change of formation from Ancelotti.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – Had a difficult first season and has courted interest from Liverpool during the summer transfer window.
CM: Toni Kroos – Real have regenerated in midfield with the arrivals of Camavinga, Tchouameni and Bellingham but old timer Kroos will help dictate the tempo of matches while the German midfielder is still around.
RW: Rodrygo – Whipped up 19 goals in all competitions last season and the 22-year-old will be a key figure again in his fifth Real season.
ST: Joselu – Embarrassing stop-gap or inspired local scouting? Real Madrid know all about Joselu and know the former Newcastle forward will plough the trough up front until a more eye-catching star is brought in.
LW: Vinicius Junior – Now Real’s main threat in attack, there is potential for Vinicius to emerge even further as a leader in the Blancos squad with the summer exits of some club stalwarts.
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