Carlo Ancelotti (63) is not a coach who makes many changes. Especially if his formula has been working as it did so well at Anfield in the Champions League against Liverpool on Tuesday. The changes made to the Real Madrid squad this weekend are rather forced through injuries.
The long-term injured Mendy has been joined on the sidelines by his deputy on the left wing, Alaba. Everything indicates that it will thus be Nacho (33) again to occupy the left-hand flank of the defence.
Rodrygo has also been ruled out with another muscular problem - there are more doubts about who will replace him in the lineup, however.
In the Champions League, Ancelotti opted for a three-man midfield of Luka Modric (37), Eduardo Camavinga (20) and Fede Valverde (24). German star Toni Kroos (33) joined the squad at the last minute and was not in a position to start. Dani Ceballos (26) was unlucky not to be on the bench after his great recent form. And now Tchoaumeni has returned to fitness to add another selection headache.
If Ancelotti retains the same system, Marco Asensio (27) or Valverde could take the Brazilian's place. And if he chooses to rest Modric, there could be two free places for three men to fill.
If Ancelotti he needs any offensive relief - even though he has the recovered Mariano and Eden Hazard (32) in the squad - the first name off the bench should be youth squad player Alvaro Rodriguez (18), who marked his league debut in the first team with an assist.
Real Madrid squad:
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Luis Lopez.
Defenders: Carvajal, E. Militao, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Lucas V. and Rudiger.
Midfielders: Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni and D. Ceballos.
Forwards: Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vini Jr., Mariano and Alvaro Rodríguez.
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