COPA DEL REY
Real Madrid confirmed starting lineup against Barcelona for the Copa del Rey semi-final Clásico
Carvajal over Lucas Vazquez, a dilemma Carlo Ancelotti has resolved before tonight’s big match against Barca.
Real Madrid’s starting eleven at the Camp Nou have six doubts that Ancelotti has decided on. Six, in what is the biggest puzzle that the boss has had to face so far this year. Carvajal over Lucas Vazquez. Alaba over Rudiger. Camavinga over Nacho and Modric and Kroos... rogether with Valverde. That’s the way the coach has decided to take on Barca tonight.
Only five players are without question: Courtois will play between the sticks; Militao is the kaiser in behind; and up front, along with the now-very-much-aligned Vinicius and Benzema, Rodrygo has edged himself into the plans. But beyond that, the dilemma is burning. And by questioning all this, he throws doubt over the formation: will 4-2-3-1 be repeated?
- Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Follow all of the action of the Clásico here!
Barça-Madrid: Carvajal over Lucas Vázquez, it’s decided
Carletto is not accustomed to experimenting in big games, but the recent brilliance of the Galician, together with the doubts that the man from Madrid has been sowing for months, spark more debate than normal at right back. After the international break, the chosen one was Lucas, in what was presented as a healthy rotation, precisely so that Carvajal could arrive at the Camp Nou in optimal condition and that’s what has happened.
But the number 17 shone. He was electric, impeccable in defense and even threatened to find a goal in the final moments. “I already consider myself a fullback, yes,” he confessed a few months ago.
Madrid’s defensive doubts
Across the rest of the backline there are other doubts. Alaba over Rüdiger. Only one can accompany Militao in the center of defense; with Nacho behind in that race. The German’s physical condition could be decisive (he has knee problems, although optimism reigns after the tests carried out this Monday). If he doesn’t make it, which seems increasingly unlikely, the position would go to Alaba.
Camavinga is back in the starting lineup. It may not be his favoured position but his performance against Valladolid has reinforced his candidacy. Decisions, decisions...
Midfield chaos for El Clásico
Camavinga, Modric, Kroos and Valverde are the chosen ones. The truth is that the Croatian’s rest against Valladolid has guaranteed that he will indeed play. Camavinga has been chosen over Tchouameni and Kroos with Valverde in detriment to Ceballos. That is what the boss has decided.
The only thing that seems untouchable is the attacking trident, where, together with Vinicius and Benzema, Rodrygo has earned his stripes. The Brazilian overflowing with confidence and is a regular in the big games. But exactly where?
Real Madrid confirmed XI for Barcelona in Copa Clásico
It is not at all bizarre to think that Ancelotti could repeat the 4-2-3-1 that he had so much joy against Valladolid... and with which he showed the best version of his team at the Camp Nou (the last quarter of an hour of the league game, when Asensio scored but was a whisker offside).
There is the possibility of Valverde on the right flank and Rodrygo as playmaker, which would reduce the number of places in midfield to two. Faced with this possibility, Modric-Kroos is what Ancelotti has decided along with Camavinga over Tchouameni. Unless the intention is to jump onto the battlefield without armor, attacking weapons flailing, given everything from the start in an attempt to surprise the opponent, quieten the crowd and, ultimately, maintain the overall Clásico record. The thousand and one dilemmas have been resolved. Ancelotti has made up his mind.
Our confirmed Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Kroos, Benzema, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Vini Jr. and Rodrygo.