Possible Real Madrid starting line-up to play Braga in the UEFA Champions League

The Champions League is back and Real Madrid visit Braga and their iconic stadium, nicknamed “The Quarry” on matchday three of the group stage. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be looking to maintain their 100% record in Group C after victories at home to Union Berlin and away to Napoli.

Will Ancelotti rotate his roster before El Clásico?

In his pre-match press conference, the Italian admitted his team would be favourites to win but insisted they would be showing their opponents plenty of respect. Ancelotti was asked whether he would rotate his roster ahead of Saturday’s Clásico in Barcelona and his response suggested changes would be fairly minimal. “That doesn’t mean the same players are going to play on Saturday. We’ll have to assess them in terms of injury and fatigue. Nacho will be back too.” To summarise, there will be an element of “wait and see”.

Alaba or Rüdiger in central defence?

Kepa, who recently expressed his desire to make his loan move from Chelsea permanent at the end of the season, will again start in goal. Who plays in front of him is perhaps the biggest uncertainty. Nacho, available again after a domestic suspension, is expected to start, but Ancelotti will have to choose whether David Alaba or Antonio Rüdiger lines up alongside him.

The Austrian returned from injury in Saturday’s draw at Sevilla and appears to have come through the came unscathed, while the German, an undisputed starter since Eder Militão tore his ACL in August, could be given a rest after playing twice for Germany in the United States during the international break.

Ancelotti praised the “very good” Fran García before the match, which suggests he will start at left-back. On the opposite flank, Lucas Vázquez is likely to be drafted in for Dani Carvajal, who could also be given a break following his own recent exertions for club and country.

Luka Modric set for rare start in midfield

The big news is expected to concern Luka Modric. The 38-year-old has started only one of the last five games, coming off the bench in the last Champions League game in Naples and in Seville at the weekend, but is expected to play from the off in Portugal. During the recent international break, in which he played almost 200 minutes for Croatia, he was asked about his new, reduced role with Los Blancos, to which he offered a frank response. “I always want to play, I don’t want to have breaks. It’s certainly a new situation for me not to play as much as before and as much as I’d like.”

Ancelotti has admitted leaving the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner out of the team hasn’t been an easy decision to make, but games like the one in Braga seem like the ideal opportunity to give him some game time. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga, who has often played at left-back of late, look set to be his partners in a midfield three. That would see Toni Kroos drop down to the bench once again; the German has only started two games in a row on one occasion so far this season (Girona and Napoli).

Joselu alongside Bellingham and Vini

As always, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior will spearhead the Madrid attack, leaving Joselu and Rodrygo to fight it out for the remaining spot in the team. The Spaniard has scored five times in 2023-24 and looks as if he’ll be given the chance to add to the tally from the start. The Brazilian only has one goal to his name but is expected to be given the nod in El Clásico, which is likely to see him rested in Braga.

Real Madrid’s possible starting XI to play Braga:

Kepa; Lucas Vázquez, Nacho, Alaba or Rüdiger, Fran García; Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Joselu, Vinicius.