Real Madrid extended their La Liga unbeaten run to a record 38 games with a 4-1 win over Espanyol on Saturday, but very little has been easy for Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the start of the new season.
This is a team that is still very close to the terms of Toni Kroos’ retirement. While Kylian Mbappe has only added to his majestic talent in forward areas, Kroos’ absence has brought about a systematic change that Ancelotti’s side have yet to fully adapt to.
Madrid are struggling to control games with and without the ball, but the hectic nature of their schedule means Ancelotti needs to find solutions quickly before Barcelona start to pull away at the top of the table. The League table
They are next in action next Tuesday night against sixth-placed Deportivo Alavés, and here’s how they could line up for the game.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – A rare break from Courtois led to Espanyol’s opener on Saturday and the Belgian was credited with a rare own goal. Still, its place is hardly threatened.
RB: Lucas Vázquez – An injury to goalscorer Dani Carvajal at the weekend means he is unlikely to feature on Tuesday and Vázquez, who was poor in his previous start against Stuttgart, should make the team.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Ancelotti has relied on the German almost constantly over the past 13 months, but he earned a brief respite at the weekend as he was named among the substitutes.
CB: Eder Militao – Aurelien Tchouameni’s competence as a central player means that Madrid’s situation would not be hopeless if they lost one of their two starting defenders. Militao tore his ACL at the start of last season but has remained injury-free since returning.
LB: Ferland Mendy – The impressive French left-back has extended his stay at the Bernabeu until 2027 and will return to the team after Fran Garcia was ruled out at the weekend.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – He starred at center back on Saturday, but the French international will be required at the base of the midfield in this one.
CM: Federico Valverde – Another one rarely given a breather, the three-shot Uruguayan is bound to rack up monster minutes this season assuming he can once again stay away from a major injury.
CM: Arda Guler – how can Madrid assert more control in the middle of the park? Keeping Luka Modric in the XI would be prudent, but he will likely be retained for the Madrid derby. If Modric drops to the bench, Ancelotti should consider using Guler in a deeper role. His quality on the ball is undeniable and could help maintain possession in the second phase.
RW: Rodrygo – The Brazilian seems to give his best when doubts begin to arise about his situation in the team. He has played a leading role in Madrid’s two previous victories.
ST: Endrick – Maybe it would be time for Mbappé to rest after finishing the 4-1 victory against Espanyol when re-scoring from the point. Ancelotti has Endrick waiting in the wings and he has already shown he can reach 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 to score in Los Blancos’ eventual triumph and is set to return to the starting line-up on Tuesday.