Questions still remain around Real Madrid’s best XI

Before the match against Rayo Vallecano (Sunday 9 March, 11:15am ET), Carlo Ancelotti sent a clear message—a veiled scolding after the lapse against Betis and a hope to get back on track. “I don’t think players choose their games. In such a demanding season, the wear and tear is immense. The team’s momentum was good, and we responded well. We’ve returned to the right path.” That return came against Atleti. Against Rayo, it must be confirmed.

Carlo’s wish is clear: despite the looming Champions League second leg, he refuses to entertain the idea of rotations. Some adjustments will be made—Rüdiger, recovering from the flu, and Valverde, managing physical strain, will rest. But the others? The best available XI will take the field against La Franja.

Who will play for Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano?

The biggest question mark lies in midfield. Modric is a certainty—he came off the bench against Atleti and changed the game, both for Madrid and against their rivals. The debate revolves around his partner.

With Ceballos unavailable and Valverde included in the squad but handled with care, Madrid must choose between Camavinga and Tchouaméni. Together, they struggle to complement each other, so Ancelotti will deploy them separately, seeking the right balance. In attack, Bellingham returns from suspension.

Up top, Vinícius and Mbappé will start, both eager to rediscover their sharpness. The real question is whether to add a fourth or even a fifth attacker. Both Rodrygo and Brahim were crucial against Atleti—Rodrygo opened the scoring, Brahim sealed the win. Given Rayo’s likely defensive setup, Brahim could earn a starting spot: two players full of grit—key to the balance Ancelotti demands. “The most important thing is that the entire team works well in both defence and attack,” he emphasised. Whatever the final lineup, Madrid’s firepower remains formidable.

Madrid’s backline is clearer, dictated by one absence—Rüdiger. His absence guarantees two presences: Asencio and Alaba. The Austrian gets another start, another opportunity to sharpen his form ahead of high-stakes nights. Asencio, a reliable presence, is undisputed in Ancelotti’s plans. Against Rayo, Lucas Vázquez will get the nod over Valverde at right-back, while Fran García rotates in for Mendy on the left.

Real Madrid’s expected lineup against Rayo Vallecano:

GK: Courtois

DEF: Lucas Vázquez - Asencio - Alaba - Fran García

MID: Camavinga/Tchouaméni - Modric - Bellingham

ATT: Brahim/Rodrygo - Vinícius - Mbappé

A tough opponent: Rayo’s recent dominance

Ancelotti is on high alert. Historically, Rayo has struggled against Madrid—logical, given the difference in squad strength. But lately, it’s Madrid who have struggled against Rayo. In their last five meetings, the results have been evenly split: one win for each side, three draws, and eight goals apiece.

If Madrid’s passive attitude against Betis concerned Ancelotti, the visit from Iñigo Pérez’s side raises even more alarm. Rayo has consistently found ways to trouble Los Blancos, both at Vallecas and the Bernabéu.

In the first leg, Madrid turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead, only for Isi to equalise in a thriller. Last season, both matches were cagey affairs—1-1 in Vallecas, 0-0 at the Bernabéu. The 2022-23 campaign saw an all-out battle: Rayo stunned Madrid in a 3-2 first-leg win, while Rodrygo’s late strike secured a narrow 2-1 victory in the return leg.

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Madrid’s last comfortable victory over Rayo? A crushing 10-2 win in December 2015. Since then, the matchups have been fiercely contested. If this isn’t the Rayo Matagigantes (Giant Killer), it’s close enough.

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