Real Madrid consolidated their spot at the top of La Liga with a win against Barcelona last weekend and must now back that up by beating Rayo Vallecano at home on Sunday night.
Despite making a very good start to the season, there are a number of injury concerns at Madrid for Carlo Ancelotti to deal with. The Italian coach is now without Aurelien Tchouameni, meaning the midfield could look different to the youthful iteration that has largely featured so far.
Rayo Vallecano are in eighth place and won’t be rolling over for Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. It will need to be another professional job from Los Blancos.
Here’s the Real Madrid team Ancelotti may choose for the task in hand against Rayo Vallecano.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – It’s going to be a very long time before the injured Thibaut Courtois can claim this spot back from Kepa, so the Spaniard is certainly the number one for the time being.
RB: Dani Carvajal – The Barcelona match was not an easy one for the Real Madrid defence as they conceded a lot of chances, with Carvajal booked in the process. He will want a calmer job here.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – The German centre-back has been very impressive since he left Chelsea and Eder Militao may struggle to work his way back in upon his return.
CB: David Alaba – The leader at the back, Alaba is a calming presence at the back who, like Carvajal, will want a game with fewer incidents than last week.
LB: Eduardo Camavinga – The France international does not want to play in this role, but with Ferland Mendy a doubt and Alaba needed in the middle, Camavinga will have to take one for the team once again.
CM: Federico Valverde – One of the most important players in this team, Valverde will do his industrious job on the right side of the midfield three as per.
CM: Toni Kroos – With the injury to Tchouameni, Kroos should get his role as the midfield general back again for this game. He could have it for a long time and has all the experience needed to cope.
CM: Luka Modric – With Camavinga moved to the left-back role, Modric is the logical choice to come into the midfield, which isn’t a bad position for Ancelotti to find himself in.
AM: Jude Bellingham – He scored both goals against Barcelona and will probably net again here, having struck 13 times in 13 games so far. Real Madrid do need to see more goals from other players.
ST: Rodrygo – Buoyed by his new contract penned on Thursday, Rodrygo now needs to get among the goals and show he’s worth it, having only scored twice for his club this season.
ST: Vinicius Junior – The other player who has just signed a new contract, Vinicius must start scoring more regularly for Real Madrid to take that next step, having not struck in his last three games.
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