Real Madrid possible starting lineup vs Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup 2023 final

Real Madrid’s assault on the sextuple continues on Sunday as they take on Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. Not that Carlo Ancelotti is too preoccupied with completing a clean sweep of trophies just yet. “That’s not on our minds,” he told reporters in this afternoon’s press conference. “We only concern ourselves with battling in every competition and every match. Right now, we are only thinking about this trophy, the Super Cup. That’s what we should do, not be thinking about something that is incredibly difficult, or very complicated. We have to take one step at a time until we reach the end of the season”.

Milestones

It was also noted, in Xavi’s press conference, that Ancelotti has not lost a final played over a single game since 2010 (Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United in the Community Shield). Victory in Riyadh on Sunday would see the Italian lift his ninth title as Real Madrid coach - bringing him within two of Zidane and five of the club record holder Miguel Muñoz. Victory would also deliver Madrid’s 13th Super Cup, equalling Barca’s record.

Since beating Valencia on penalties in Wednesday’s semi-final, Ancelotti’s players have had three full days to rest and time for some of those carrying knocks to recover. Camavinga and Militão have both recovered and were able to train as normal. Not so lucky is Lucas Vázquez, who came into the side for Dani Carvajal but limped out of the Valencia game with an ankle injury that will keep him sidelined for the next month.

That means Ancelotti must find a solution at right-back. Both of his regular full-backs Carvajal and Férland Mendy have been struggling with injuries although both were brought on as late subs in the Valencia game. Depending on whether one or both of them are fit to start, the coach will probably have to juggle his back four.

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Carvajal seemed fine during Friday’s training session at Al Nassr FC sports facility but he hasn’t played a full match since October - in fact he has only played the full 90 minutes in seven games this season. Álvaro Odriozola has made the trip but has hardly played at all this season - just one appearance in the Copa del Rey in which he left the field injured

Nacho, who started on the opposite flank the last time out, could be shifted back to fill the right-back slot - if Mendy is fit to start. Mendy has been carrying a calf muscle sprain and Ancelotti won’t want to risk him if there is a chance he could aggravate it.

Possible Real Madrid starting lineup vs Barcelona in the 2023 Spanish Super Cup final:

Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Camavinga, Kroos, Modric: Rodrygo; Benzema, Vinicius.