“We are trying to find our best version,” Carlo Ancelotti admitted after his Real Madrid side somehow escaped with all three points in their Champions League opener against Stuttgart two weeks ago .
We all know what this Madrid team is. They aren’t turning the full-backs around and pressing opponents into submission, but they have a sprinkling of superstar talent and are blessed with the ultimate problem-solver in Ancelotti.
The Italian continues to work to find his optimal formula, but Sunday’s draw against rivals Atlético looked like a step in the right direction. Ancelotti will have another chance to assess his squad’s progress on Wednesday as Madrid face Lille away from home in their second match of the league stage.
Kylian Mbappe, who missed Sunday’s draw, has traveled to France with the rest of the players Madrid squad, and here’s the team Ancelotti could pick on Wednesday night.
GK: Andriy Lunin – There could be a run in the team for Lunin after Thibaut Courtois was injured in the hijack in the Madrid derby. The Ukrainian recently signed a contract extension until 2030 with Los Blancos.
RB: Dani Carvajal – The long-time Madrid player has suddenly become a useful goalscorer for Ancelotti’s side, and he could enjoy an adventure towards the final third or two on Wednesday.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – The German defender scored the go-ahead goal on the first day to get Madrid out of jail against the superior Stuttgart.
CB: Eder Militao – Militao crashed home a rare goal on Sunday, but Ángel Correa’s stoppage-time equalizer meant the Brazilian’s emphatic effort was worth just a point. Still, he has remained injury-free since returning from an ACL tear earlier this year and is returning to his best form.
LB: Ferland Mendy – Fran Garcia might struggle to feature on Wednesday due to the challenge he was on at the end of the derby, but Mendy was always going to keep his place anyway.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – Despite completing 90 minutes on Sunday, Ancelotti, due to a couple of injuries, has no midfield options to rotate much in midweek. Thus, Tchouameni should start again at the base of the midfield against Lille.
CM: Edward Camavinga – Camavinga was named in Ancelotti’s matchday squad for the first time at the weekend but did not take the field. Wednesday’s start may come too soon for the Frenchman, but the Madrid manager will surely be tempted to pair Camavinga with Tchouameni.
CM: Federico Valverde – We know Valverde is a man who doesn’t need a rest, and the Uruguayan should be fine to return after going down at right-back in Sunday’s derby.
AM: Jude Bellingham – We’ve seen Bellingham play a deeper midfield role following the withdrawal of Toni Kroos, but there could be a change on Wednesday that could give the Englishman the attacking freedom he was afforded last season.
ST: Rodrygo – The Brazilian has enjoyed a strong start to the 2024/25 campaign and is impressive in unison with his compatriot up front. He will occupy the right flank in this Champions League combat but they have the license to rotate in the field when Carvajal advances.
ST: Vinicius Junior – Mbappe is in the matchday squad, but given he has returned much earlier than expected from a muscle injury, the Frenchman will surely earn minutes off the bench, should Ancelotti choose to use him.
