A 4-1 victory over Espanyol saw Real Madrid extend their unbeaten run in La Liga to a record-breaking 38 games on Saturday, but very little has been simple for Carlo Ancelotti’s team at the start of the new season.
This is an outfit that’s still very much coming to the terms of Toni Kroos’ retirement. While Kylian Mbappe has only added to their majestic talent in forward areas, Kroos’ absence has brought about a systematic change which Ancelotti’s team is yet to fully adjust to.
Madrid are struggling to control games with and without the ball, but the hectic nature of their schedule means Ancelotti must find solutions swiftly before Barcelona start to pull away at the top of the La Liga table.
They’re next in action on Tuesday night against sixth-place Deportivo Alaves and here’s how they could line up for the fixture.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Deportivo Alaves (4-3-3)
GK: Thibaut Courtois – A rare lapse from Courtois led to Espanyol’s opener on Saturday and the Belgian was credited with a rare own goal. Still, his place is hardly under threat.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – An injury sustained by goalscorer Dani Carvajal at the weekend means he likely won’t feature on Tuesday and Vazquez, who was poor on his previous start against Stuttgart, should come into the team.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – The German has almost constantly been relied upon by Ancelotti over the past 13 months but earned some brief respite at the weekend as he was named among the substitutes.
CB: Eder Militao – Aurelien Tchouameni’s competence as a centre-back means Madrid’s situation wouldn’t be desperate if they were to lose one of their two starting defenders. Militao tore his anterior cruciate ligament at the start of last season but has stayed injury-free since returning.
LB: Ferland Mendy – The impressive French left-back has extended his stay at the Bernabeu until 2027 and will come back into the team after Fran Garcia got a run out at the weekend.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – He starred at centre-back on Saturday but the France international is going to be required at the base of midfield in this one.
CM: Federico Valverde – Another who’s rarely offered respite, the three-lunged Uruguayan is bound to rack up a monster minutes haul this season assuming he can once again stay clear of a major injury.
CM: Arda Guler – How can Madrid assert more control in the middle of the park? Retaining Luka Modric in the XI would be wise, but he’ll likely be preserved for the Madrid derby. If Modric drops to the bench, Ancelotti should consider utilising Guler in a deeper role. His quality with the ball is undeniable and he could aid in retaining possession in the second phase.
RW: Rodrygo – The Brazilian seemingly provides his best when doubts over his status in the team begin to emerge. He’s played a leading role in Madrid’s previous two wins.
ST: Endrick – It might be time for Mbappe to get a rest after he ended the 4-1 victory over Espanyol by scoring again from the spot. Ancelotti has Endrick waiting in the wings and he’s already shown he can deliver at this level.
LW: Vinicius Junior – It was the superstar winger who helped turn the tide after Madrid found themselves a goal behind on Saturday. Vinicius Junior came off the bench and scored in Los Blancos’ eventual triumph and he’s a shoo-in to return to the XI on Tuesday.
