Having been stifled by Rayo Vallecano last weekend, Real Madrid vented their frustrations by beating Braga 3-0 on Wednesday night to progress into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have only endured a few hiccups at the start of the 2023/24 season, with their recent victory in El Clasico opening up a gap between themselves and the champions. However, Girona’s brilliant opening to the campaign means Madrid sit behind them in second ahead of another weekend of La Liga action.
Madrid play host to a resurgent Valencia on Saturday night. The visitors boast one of the stingiest defences in the division, and they’ll be hoping to produce a similar performance to Rayo’s last Sunday.
Here’s how Ancelotti could set his Madrid side up this weekend.
GK: Andriy Lunin – Lunin made the most of his opportunity in midweek by saving an early Braga penalty as he kept a clean sheet. With Kepa Arrizabalaga an injury doubt, the Ukrainian should keep his place between the sticks.
RB: Dani Carvajal – The Spaniard earned an unfamiliar spot on the bench against Braga, but he’s a sure bet to come back into the side this weekend.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – The Madrid skipper has featured sporadically so far this season, but Antonio Rudiger’s suspension means he’ll earn back-to-back starts.
CB: David Alaba – Preserved in midweek, Alaba will return to the starting XI and partner Nacho at the heart of Ancelotti’s defence.
LB: Ferland Mendy – There are question marks over Madrid’s left-back position, but Mendy is certainly a better option than Fran Garcia at this stage.
DM: Eduardo Camavinga – Camavinga will earn plenty of minutes while Aurelien Tchouameni recovers from a broken foot.
CM: Toni Kroos – Ancelotti hasn’t been afraid to shun Luka Modric this season, and while the all-time great midfielder has performed well in recent outings (when he’s played), Kroos won’t want to drop out of the starting XI.
CM: Federico Valverde – He’ll just keep on playing, won’t he?
AM: Jude Bellingham – Brahim Diaz was superb in his absence on Wednesday, but Bellingham is fit and ready to return to the starting XI.
ST: Rodrygo – We’d been waiting for Rodrygo to put in a quality performance and he duly delivered in
Madrid’s comfortable Champions League victory against Braga. The Brazilian, and his teammates, will hope for more of the same in domestic action.
ST: Vinicius Junior – Vinicius Jr was also on the scoresheet in midweek and is a more suitable option than Joselu to partner Rodrygo against Valencia.
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