Real Madrid begin their 2023/24 campaign with an away trip to Athletic Club on Saturday.
Los Blancos came second in La Liga last season and were eliminated in the Champions League semi finals by Manchester City, but optimism is renewed with Jude Bellingham’s arrival and a number of key players signing contract extensions.
Here’s how Carlo Ancelotti could set his team up at San Mames.
GK: Andriy Lunin – First-choice Thibaut Courtois suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during training, which leaves Ukrainian Andriy Lunin to deputise. The goalie has made 17 appearances for Madrid since signing in 2018.
RB: Dani Carvajal – Has the right-back spot with Madrid until a more fashionable options comes along. Recently warned Barcelona “we will come out on top” after a Clasico defeat in Dallas, Texas.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Says he loved battling Erling Haaland last season, but probably didn’t love coming on as a substitute when Madrid were being battered in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Manchester City.
CB: Eder Militao – Has urged Madrid to sign Kylian Mbappe alongside Vinicius but was told by chief club scout Juni Calafat: “You are spending all our money in Ibiza. We’ll no longer have enough for Mbappe.”
LB: David Alaba – The footballer who can do it all may have lost his way slightly at Madrid recently with Militao and Rudiger now important starting XI inclusions. Ferland Mendy’s injury may help Alaba start, but new arrival Fran Garcia is another option.
CM: Federico Valverde – Another versatile player, Valverde will drift out wide to the right in both attack and defence.
DM: Aurelien Tchouameni – Looking for a stronger second season with Madrid, having struggled to assert himself in 2022/23.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are waiting in the wings so Camavinga needs to bring a vibrant display to San Mames in front of what will be an excitable Bilbao crowd.
AM: Jude Bellingham – An official club debut for the blockbuster summer arrival. Bellingham looks to have shaked off a knee issue that plagued his final days with Borussia Dortmund and produced some eye-catching moments in pre-season.
ST: Vinicius Junior – The Brazilian icon now takes on more goalscoring responsibility with the departure of Karim Benzema but has shown his increasingly clinical edge with 27 league goals across the last two seasons.
ST: Rodrygo – Joselu could partner Vinicius in attack but Rodrygo featured in a central role during the summer and might get the nod again.
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