Real Madrid continue their Copa del Rey defence when they visit Segunda Federacion outfit Arandina on Saturday night.
Los Blancos squeezed their way to victory in their most recent La Liga outing against Mallorca on Thursday night and will be looking for a similar result in north-western Spain before they jet off to Saudi Arabia for the Supercopa de Espana.
Arandina have caused upsets in the Copa del Rey so far this season but, even against a Madrid side expected to be heavily changed from midweek, face a Goliath-sized task in downing the current trophy holders.
Here’s the team Ancelotti could send out in Aranda de Duero on Saturday.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – Missed the Mallorca win with flu, ahead of which Ancelotti revealed he would pick the goalkeeper who “gives me the most confidence” between the Spaniard and alternative Andriy Lunin.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – Is used to performing some of the less glamorous roles for Madrid and playing in his auxiliary right-back role in front of 6,000 fans against the team bottom of Segunda Federacion – Group 1 will be no different.
CB: Alvaro Carrillo – One of a number of Madrid youngsters who could make their senior bows here, Carrillo was in the matchday squad against Mallorca. First-team stars like Eder Militao and David Alaba are unavailable through injury.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – Hasn’t played since getting sent off against Alaves. A similar display of ill-discipline here would not go down so well with the Madrid faithful.
LB: Fran Garcia – Has nailed down the left-back spot of late, missing only 45 minutes in the last four Madrid games, and should start again with alternatives Ferland Mendy, Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga all injured.
DM: Dani Ceballos – Former Arsenal midfielder Ceballos should get game time here, with little need for Ancelotti to put further strain on ageing stars like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos against fourth-tier opposition.
CM: Brahim Diaz – Has had more chances of late after watching Jude Bellingham cement his spot in Madrid’s attack with his flurry of goals. Diaz himself has three strikes in La Liga this season.
CM: Federico Valverde – Is certainly among the candidates to drop out of the starting XI ahead of the Supercopa de Espana but injuries elsewhere may mean the indefatigable Uruguayan plays again.
CM: Nico Paz – 19-year-old Paz has played 58 minutes of senior football across La Liga and the Champions League this season, making the most of his meatiest cameo with a goal against Napoli.
ST: Arda Guler – Injuries and caution have delayed the young Turk’s Madrid debut, with Ancelotti reiterating the need for patience after the Mallorca win, but this could be the perfect opportunity to finally bed Guler into his new surroundings.
ST: Joselu – Will bring some much-needed experience in Madrid’s attack and should be eyeing a feast of goals against the lower division opposition.
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