The start of Real Madrid’s 2023/24 season is less than two weeks away, but Los Blancos still have one more game to get through as part of their US tour.
Madrid’s upcoming duel with Juventus – a repeat of the 2017 Champions League final – is their last scheduled friendly before they face Athletic Club on 12 August to kick off their La Liga campaign.
While they were soundly beaten by Barcelona in their previous outing, it’s been a positive summer for Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the wake of Karim Benzema’s exit.
It’s been a pre-season for experimenting, and here’s the next set-up Ancelotti could opt for against Juventus.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – The Belgian was introduced late to pre-season, but he started against Barcelona and will likely retain his place in the side.
RB: Dani Carvajal – Carvajal played the full 90 on Saturday, but Ancelotti isn’t blessed with many alternatives at right-back.
CB: Eder Militao – The Brazilian has played a prominent role this summer given his importance to Real and he’s poised to continue his run in the side.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – There could be a change here, however, with Rudiger returning to the fold. The German was an unused substitute in the defeat to Barcelona.
LB: David Alaba – Alaba has only sporadically been used down the left since joining the club, but the Austrian could get minutes in his former favoured position on Wednesday with Fran Garcia likely earning minutes off the bench.
DM: Toni Kroos – Amid all the shiny and young new arrivals, old timer Kroos remains such an integral figure in Real’s midfield.
CM: Federico Valverde – With a couple of veterans potentially coming back into the team, Ancelotti could do with some running power and there isn’t a midfielder more indefatigable in Real’s squad than the tireless Valverde.
CM: Luka Modric – He isn’t expected to play a major role for Real Madrid next season, but the Croatian remains a supreme footballer who will continue to be called upon while he remains in Madrid.
AM: Brahim Diaz – Bellingham’s been a fixture of Real’s summer contests and he could earn a rest ahead of the start of the 2023/24 La Liga season. Thus, the door could be open for Brahim Diaz to start with Arda Guler returning to Spain.
ST: Rodrygo – Rodyrgo enjoyed a coming-of-age campaign last time out having spent a period stuck in Vinicius Jr’s shadow. The diminutive Brazilian is a divine dribbler with innate creative instincts, and his relationship with his compatriot as split strikers will be such an intriguing watch in 2023/24.
ST: Vinicius Jr – Kylian Mbappe’s future will determine just how much we see the two Brazilians line up together up top for Real next season. The potential, given their harmony and contrasting profiles, is distinct.
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