Real Madrid’s injury woes mean Carlo Ancelotti has limited scope in regards to squad rotation on Tuesday night.
Given their status as group winners, Ancelotti will be keen to give the core members of his squad a rest in midweek as they visit Union Berlin to round off their Champions League group stage.
Los Blancos lost their status as La Liga leaders after drawing at Real Betis on Saturday, but Ancelotti has nonetheless navigated through the club’s injury crisis masterfully.
Here’s how the Italian could set his Madrid side up against Union in midweek.
GK: Andriy Lunin – Kepa Arrizabalaga will find it tough to earn his place back given Lunin’s impressive run of form in the Spaniard’s absence.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – With Dani Carvajal out for the rest of the year, converted winger Vazquez will be tasked with holding down the fort at right-back.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Ancelotti is short-changed at centre-back, so Rudiger should start again on Tuesday night.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – David Alaba should get rotated out of the side in midweek, and skipper Nacho is a sure bet to come in for the Austrian.
LB: Fran Garcia – Ferland Mendy has reasserted himself as the club’s number one left-back, so summer arrival Garcia should come in for the Frenchman against Union. The Spaniard has flashed his attacking talent since joining the club.
DM: Toni Kroos – Aurelien Tchouameni should return sooner than expected from a broken foot, but he won’t feature on Tuesday. Kroos, who was substituted in the second half at Betis, could retain his place at the base of midfield.
CM: Nico Paz – They’ve got another midfield gem, haven’t they? Teenager Paz scored his first Real Madrid goal against Napoli on matchday five, and he deserves a first Champions League start in midweek.
CM: Dani Ceballos – Ancelotti might, just might, give Federico Valverde a rest on Tuesday which could open the door for Ceballos to earn a rare start.
AM: Brahim Diaz – The Italian surely won’t risk Bellingham in midweek, but Brahim has filled in pretty well in the protagonist function that the 20-year-old’s mastered.
ST: Rodrygo – Vinicius Jr remains on the sidelines, but his compatriot has starred in his absence. Ancelotti likely won’t utilise Rodrygo for the entirety of Tuesday’s game.
ST: Joselu – The Spaniard has proved serviceable for Los Blancos, scoring six goals in 20 appearances this term. Joselu scored his first Champions League goal for the club (after missing a handful) on matchday five.
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