SPANISH SUPER CUP

Confirmed Real Madrid starting lineup against Atlético Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final

Carlo Ancelotti has a clean bill of health in midfield and attack for the first of three Madrid derbies in a month.

JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELADiarioAS

The first trophy of the domestic season in Spain is up for grabs this week, with Real Madrid heading into the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atlético Madrid in better shape than they have done in months. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has all eight midfielders and four forwards to choose from for the first time this season, with the players unavailable to him all at the back end of the team.

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Vinícius and Rodrygo to lead Madrid attack

Vinícius and Rodrygo are expected to start in attack as is the norm, although there is more uncertainty regarding one of the four players who will line up in midfield. As well as eight first-team midfielders, youngsters Mario Martín and Nico Paz have travelled to Saudi Arabia, as have Real Madrid Castilla defenders Álvaro Carrillo and Vinicius Tobias, and goalkeeper Fran González.

Camavinga or Modric in midfield?

The appears to be no doubt that Bellingham, Valverde and Kroos – who didn’t play against Arandina in the Copa del Rey at the weekend – will play from the off. The last spot in midfield will likely be between Camavinga and Modric, with Tchouaméni – an emergency option centre-back in central defence at the moment – Ceballos and Güler set for places on the bench.

Mendy returns after left-back after injury

Ancelotti has much less room for manoeuvre at the back, where Rüdiger and Nacho will be the centre-back pairing, flanked by Carvajal and Mendy. The French left-back is expected to make his return after missing the last three games through injury.

Real Madrid XI to play against Atlético

Real Madrid line up in Riyadh as follows:

Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga or Modric, Kroos, Bellingham; Rodrygo and Vinícius.

Courtois, Alaba and Militão remain absent

24 players have travelled to the Middle East for the tournament, which means Ancelotti must leave two players out of his 22-man matchday squad. The bench will be made up of 11 of the following players: Kepa, Fran González; Vinicius Tobias, Carrillo, Fran García, Tchouaméni, Mario Martín, Ceballos, Güler, Nico Paz, Brahim and Joselu, plus Camavinga or Modric.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, central defenders David Alaba and Eder Militão, and right-back Lucas Vázquez are Real Madrid’s injury absentees for the Super Cup.

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