Real Madrid are jetting off to Saudi Arabia to partake in this season’s Supercopa de Espana, with Valencia drawn against them in the semi-finals.
Los Blancos could do with some mid-season silverware in order to get themselves back into a groove, falling three points behind Barcelona in La Liga’s title race at the weekend.
Carlo Ancelotti named Real Madrid’s first ever starting lineup without a Spanish player at the weekend. They lost 2-1 to Villarreal. The local press have been having a field day.
Here’s how the Italian could set his side out in Riyadh…
GK: Thibaut Courtois – One of the best goalkeepers in the world and he wants you to know it. Will definitely be keen to add another gold medal to his collection.
RB: Dani Carvajal – Omitted from Saturday’s squad due to ‘muscle overload’, Carvajal is the most obvious Spanish candidate to come into the lineup.
CB: Eder Militao – Reports in the Spanish media suggest Militao could be ousted for Antonio Rudiger in the long-term, but he has enough credit with Ancelotti in the back to keep his place for now.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Jack of all trades David Alaba is nursing a calf injury, which could afford Rudiger some time on the left of a four.
LB: Ferland Mendy – A continued shortage of left-backs means you kind of have to pencil in Mendy by default in this position.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – Another doubt is Aurelien Tchouameni, also with a calf problem, and that could slide the versatile Camavinga back into the starting XI.
CM: Luka Modric – Withdrawn after 70 minutes at Villarreal, perhaps with this match in mind.
CM: Toni Kroos – Speculation rumbles on about the German midfielder’s future, with Jude Bellingham already lined up as a long-term replacement. Still reliable, mind.
RW: Federico Valverde – Rotation could see Marco Asensio come in, but it’s likely that Valverde will start in some capacity.
CF: Karim Benzema – The only thing that will keep Benzema out of the starting lineup will be injury, but he appears to be back at full fitness.
LW: Vinicius Junior – Similarly undroppable. Real Madrid don’t have another player like him.
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