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Decisions, decisions: Ancelotti’s Real Madrid choices for latest LaLiga test

Los Blancos follow up the Champions League big win over Salzburg with a trip to Valladolid, hoping to still have their wings.

Los Blancos follow up the Champions League big win over Salzburg with a trip to Valladolid, hoping to still have their wings.
Juan AguadoDiarioAS

Following their dominant performance in the seventh round of the Champions League, where Real Madrid crushed RB Salzburg, the team returns to domestic action. This time, they travel to Castilla to face Real Valladolid at the José Zorrilla Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.

By then, they’ll already know Atlético Madrid’s result – key to the battle for the top spot in the standings – and will be waiting to see how Barcelona fares against Valencia in the penultimate game of the round. The matchday will conclude on Monday with Alavés hosting Celta at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Why is Vinícius not playing for Madrid against Valladolid?

For this encounter, Carlo Ancelotti will again be without Vinícius Jr., who is serving the final match of his two-game suspension after being sent off against Valencia.

The Brazilian’s schedule has been irregular this week: he missed the game against Las Palmas, played against Salzburg, will sit out against Valladolid, and won’t feature in the final European group-stage game against Brest.

Possible lineups for Valladolid and Real Madrid.
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Possible lineups for Valladolid and Real Madrid.

In his absence, Madrid’s attack will be led by Brahim Díaz, returning to the starting lineup after featuring against Las Palmas at the Bernabéu. Jude Bellingham will serve as the link between the midfield and attack, with Rodrygo operating on the left flank and Kylian Mbappé spearheading the offense. Both Rodrygo and Mbappé are in scintillating form.

The Brazilian has scored five goals in January alone, half of his tally since August (he has 10 goals in total). Mbappé is also on five goals for January and continues his chase of Lewandowski for the league’s pichichi title.

Tactical adjustments in defense and midfield

Ancelotti will welcome back Lucas Vázquez, allowing Fede Valverde to return to his preferred midfield role, vacating the right-back position. The likely defensive lineup will feature Lucas Vázquez, Raúl Asencio - who is becoming more dependable in central defense and drawing comparisons to Nacho - Rüdiger, and Fran García, who is expected to replace Ferland Mendy after the latter started in the Champions League.

In midfield, Valverde is a guaranteed starter, leaving Dani Ceballos and Aurélien Tchouaméni competing for the remaining spot. Ceballos has the edge, having performed admirably in recent matches, while Tchouaméni is just returning from an injury that kept him out against Las Palmas and Salzburg.

Real Madrid predicted starting XI against Valladolid

Carlo Ancelotti’s likely lineup against Real Valladolid:

Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García; Ceballos or Tchouaméni, Valverde; Brahim, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Mbappé.

The rest of the squad includes Lunin and Fran González as backup goalkeepers; Alaba, Mendy, Jacobo Ramón, and Lorenzo in defense; Modric, Arda Güler in midfield; and Endrick as an exciting attacking option.

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