After securing their first La Liga win of the season on Sunday, Real Madrid play in Las Palmas on matchday three in midweek.
Madrid were frustrated by Real Valladolid for large parts of Sunday’s game before Brahim Diaz registered a goal and an assist from the bench late on to wrap up a comfortable 3-0 victory. Carlo Ancelotti’s team had been retained by Mallorca to open the national season.
Much of the talk has surrounded Kylian Mbappe to start 2024/25, but it is Madrid’s old guard who have impressed the most at the start of the new season.
The upcoming midweek game could give the manager the chance to rotate, and here’s the starting eleven he could choose on Thursday.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – After a first-class opener in Mallorca, Valladolid’s errant finish meant Courtois didn’t have to work too hard for his first The League clean sheet of the season on Sunday.
RB: Dani Carvajal – Madrid They have yet to dive into the right-back market this summer, so Ancelotti will rely on Carvajal to stay fit for much of the campaign.
CB: Eder Militao – The Brazilian has not enjoyed the best of starts to the season, with Valladolid very happy to get behind Militao on Sunday. However, he will remain in the side with David Alaba still absent.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Rudiger is assured of his place in Ancelotti’s team, even when Alaba returns to the fold. Oli McBurnie will be ready for battle on Thursday.
LB: Ferland Mendy – After serving his one-match ban last time out, Mendy, who was sent off on matchday one, should return to the starting XI at left-back in midweek.
DM: Luka Modric – Modric will return to a supporting role in 2024/25, but this could be an opportunity for the veteran to start in the middle of the park. Aurelien Tchouameni hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory to open the new season.
DM: Federico Valverde – Madrid’s midfield has looked more of a double pivot at the start of the 2024/25 season, with Valverde continuing in a demanding box-to-box role. He is central to Ancelotti, and opened the scoring at the weekend with a deflected free-kick.
RM: Rodrygo – There could be a change here, although Rodrygo has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season. The Brazilian scored Madrid’s first La Liga goal of the 2024/25 season against Mallorca.
AM: Arda Guler – Brahim Diaz will be feeling very accomplished after sealing Madrid’s win from the bench on Sunday, but Guler also impressed at the weekend, and signs point to the young Turkish playmaker playing a big role for Los Blancos this season.
LM: Vinicius Junior – No goal contribution for Vini Jr last time out, but the Brazilian continues to act like he’s the best player on the planet. He will start going down the left flank on Thursday.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – The French superstar could have scored his first goal for Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, but that first La Liga goal has so far eluded him. Mbappé He had a hat-trick of shots against Valladolid, but he couldn’t find the net.
