Mbappé’s place in Real Madrid team a doubt

In the midst of chaos, football. However polluted the atmosphere may be, the game goes on. Ancelotti didn’t show up at La Cartuja, and neither did Real Madrid train there. At least not publicly. Instead, they trained at Valdebebas, preparing for a sporting battle that, as so often happens, is likely to turn into a refereeing war. That’s where Carletto made his final tweaks. The last tests. The last reads. Some doubts linger, but most questions already have answers. And in that context, one name is gaining weight: Rodrygo Goes.

The Brazilian is a strong candidate to start. Ancelotti himself hinted as much after the hard-fought win over Getafe. Rodrygo was rested against Rayo Vallecano—a clear signal—but he did come on in the second half and got an earful from his manager:

“Statistically, he has to play. Because if he hasn’t scored in all this time… he usually shows up in these games, the big ones. He’s done it many times. I have full confidence in him.”

All signs point to him starting at La Cartuja. The question is: who does he replace?Mbappé is being handled with care, still recovering ten days after spraining his ankle against Arsenal. If the Frenchman plays, Rodrygo’s inclusion would mean sacrificing a midfielder—likely Modric, who suddenly finds his place hanging in the balance.

Then there’s Mendy, whose situation has turned around dramatically. After missing six weeks with a muscle injury, he returned to the squad even later than Kylian. Ancelotti was clear after the Getafe match: Fran García would start at left-back. But recently, Mendy’s chances have surged. He could start, with Fran García kept in reserve, ready to step in if needed.

Otherwise, the starting lineup is expected to mirror the one that beat Athletic Club six days ago at the Bernabéu: Rüdiger and Asencio as the central defensive pair, Valverde at right-back, and a midfield anchored by Tchouaméni and Ceballos, with Modric still a question mark. If Mbappé doesn’t start, the lineup would remain unchanged from that Athletic match—except for Mendy replacing the injured Camavinga.

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Also making the trip to La Cartuja are the injured Carvajal, Militão, and Camavinga, who will be there on Saturday to support the team in Seville.

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