Real Madrid often expect to hoover up a host of trophies every season and can claim their first of the 2023/24 campaign by beating Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final.
Los Blancos beat city rivals Atletico Madrid in their semi-final on Wednesday to do their bit in setting up a Clasico in Saudi Arabia before Barca triumphed over Osasuna a day later. However, manager Carlo Ancelotti has a number of fitness issues in defence to contend with before Sunday’s encounter.
That said, Los Blancos should still field a familiar XI with Jude Bellingham hopeful of starring in the Middle East. Sitting seven points ahead of Barca in the La Liga title race, Madrid are favourites here.
Here’s the starting lineup Ancelotti should choose when Madrid face Barcelona.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – Having made a great start to the game against Atletico Madrid with a big save, Kepa will not have been happy to have ended up shipping three goals.
RB: Dani Carvajal – The Spaniard had a very mixed game against Atleti. He scored the goal that took it to extra-time but his passing was sloppy at times and he missed a sitter in the second half. However, Ancelotti has few other options at right-back with Lucas Vazquez out injured.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – There’s a lot of responsibility on Rudiger’s shoulders with both David Alaba and Eder Militao absent, but the Germany international looked confident as he headed in Madrid’s first goal in the semi-final. His own goal was very unfortunate.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – The only member of the back four that did not score in the semi-final, club captain Nacho will be happy enough keeping his head down and putting in solid displays while Ancelotti has to rely on him.
LB: Ferland Mendy – There have been many suggestions Madrid will replace Mendy with Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies in the summer, but the Frenchman deserves to start here after scoring a rare goal against Atleti.
CM: Federico Valverde – For those who don’t watch Madrid every week, it can be easy to forget about Valverde and his impact, but every great team needs a tireless player like him.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – Tchouameni’s absence was very notable when he was injured. Madrid are more settled and dynamic with him in the team.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – Luka Modric played here in the semi-final but Ancelotti is likely to bring the younger Camavinga in to complete what was his favoured midfield when the season started.
AM: Jude Bellingham – Has now gone three games without a goal for Madrid, his longest drought since moving to the Bernabeu. Now would be a great time to hurt Barca again like he did in the first clash this season.
ST: Rodrygo – Really should have grabbed a goal in the first half against Atletico but Ancelotti will surely leave him in rather than start Joselu.
ST: Vinicius Junior – Having dealt with injuries this season, now is the time for Vinicius to start scoring week in, week out for Madrid again.
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