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How Real Madrid will line up in LaLiga against Valladolid
Ancelotti welcomes back Lucas Vázquez and moves Valverde to midfield as Real Madrid prepare for their Valladolid clash.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti received a boost ahead of the team’s next La Liga match, with Lucas Vázquez returning to the squad. This change would have allowed Uruguayan star Fede Valverde to return to his natural position in midfield, but the coach surprised with an expected idea.
Notably, Brazilian forward Vinícius Jr. will remain sidelined as he serves the final game of his two-match suspension.
Madrid back to La Liga after Champions League triumph
Fresh off their dominant performance in the seventh round of the UEFA Champions League against RB Salzburg, where they cruised to a decisive victory, Real Madrid is turning its attention back to La Liga. The team travels to face Real Valladolid at Estadio José Zorrilla on Sunday, with kickoff set for 3:00 PM EST.
By that time, Los Blancos will know the result of Atlético Madrid’s match, as their city rivals closely trail them in the league standings. They’ll also keep an eye on Barcelona’s game against Valencia, scheduled for the following day.
No Vinicius Jr for Real Madrid against Valladolid
Vinícius Jr.’s absence has been notable, as the winger completes his suspension following a red card against Valencia. His week has been marked by inconsistency—he sat out the match against Las Palmas, played against RB Salzburg, and will now miss the Valladolid game, along with the final Champions League group stage match against Brest.
In Vinícius’s absence, Brahim Díaz returns to the starting lineup, having impressed in his last start at the Santiago Bernabéu against Las Palmas. Jude Bellingham will serve as the creative link between midfield and attack, while Rodrygo takes up the left wing, and Kylian Mbappé leads the line.
Both Rodrygo and Mbappé have been in excellent form this January, each netting five goals already this month. Mbappé remains in a close race with Robert Lewandowski for the league’s top scorer title.
Who will play for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid?
Lucas Vázquez’s return reshapes Ancelotti’s defensive setup. Valverde, who had been filling in as a right-back, will now move back to midfield. However, the backline will not feature Vázquez, but Raúl Asencio—who continues to impress with his maturity—Antonio Rüdiger, and Fran García. Rüdiger, despite his heavy workload this season, starts again, while Fran García replaces Ferland Mendy, who started midweek in the Champions League.
Ancelotti’s midfield selection will see Valverde as a surefire starter, along with Ceballos.
Real Madrid possible starting XI
Courtois; Asencio, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, Fran García; Valverde, Ceballos; Brahim, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Mbappé.
The rest of the squad includes backup goalkeepers Andriy Lunin and Fran González; defenders David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Jacobo Ramón, and Lorenzo; midfielders Luka Modrić, Arda Güler; and forward Endrick.
With the league heating up and rivals closing in, Real Madrid will need a strong performance to maintain their lead and momentum in the title race.
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