REAL MADRID-BARCELONA
Possible Real Madrid starting XI against FC Barcelona | US Summer Tour
Vini Jr and Éder Militão have joined up with the squad, and Carlo Ancelotti may use them against the Catalan side.
The first Clásico of the year has arrived. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are set to face their second preseason test against, FC Barcelona, on their US tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Following a 1-0 defeat to Milan, Los Blancos are eager to bounce back, though it will not be an easy task. Real Madrid have never managed to beat the Catalans in an American Clásico.
For this match, Ancelotti will have three key additions: Vinicius, Militão, and Rodrygo. Vinicius and Militão joined the squad after the Milan match, while Rodrygo, who arrived a day earlier, was with his teammates at Soldier Field but did not play. However, the Italian coach will be without Palacios (ACL tear in his right knee) and Álvaro Rodríguez (sprain): both had to return to Spain to recover from injuries. Mendy, Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Mbappé, Valverde, Carvajal, and Bellingham remain unavailable, and Alaba stayed in Madrid to recover from his injury.
Who will play for Real Madrid against Barcelona?
Ancelotti’s starting eleven to face Milan was: Courtois, Lucas V., Vallejo, Rüdiger, Fran García, Modric, Mario Martín, Ceballos, Arda Güler, Brahim, and Endrick. For the upcoming match, the Real Madrid coach is expected to make two changes: Militao for Vallejo and Rodrygo for Mario Martín, moving Arda Güler into midfield.
Militão is eager to start the season strongly after a difficult previous year; a torn cruciate ligament in August sidelined him for 232 days. Though he returned for a few games at the end of the season, he struggled with consistency and fitness. After a successful Copa América, Éder is looking to begin his preseason on the right foot.
Carletto will also reward Arda Güler’s outstanding performance in the previous game. The Turk was Real Madrid’s top ball recoverer (5) against the seven-time European champions. With Rodrygo’s return, Arda is expected to drop deeper into midfield, allowing the Brazilian to resume his position as right winger. Ceballos will continue to orchestrate the middle of the pitch.
The Spaniard was a key midfielder with 53 completed passes, four recoveries, and three successful dribbles (tied with Brahim). On the left side, Brahim and Fran García will continue to pose a threat: Brahim had the most successful passes in the final third (19) and created the most opportunities (3) while Fran García had the most shots (2), completed 47 passes, and made four recoveries. Endrick will remain the central striker for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s possible starting XI against Barcelona
The eleven to face FC Barcelona is expected to be: Courtois, Lucas Vázquez, Militão, Rüdiger, Fran García, Modric, Arda Güler, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Brahim, and Endrick. Since this is a friendly match, up to eleven substitutions can be made in a maximum of three windows (excluding half-time). Against the Italians, Ancelotti made eight substitutions, six of which occurred after the break.
The only players to complete the full 94 minutes were Fran García, Lucas Vázquez, Ceballos, Mario Martín, and Brahim. It is very likely that Vinicius will get some playing time against FC Barcelona. The talented 16-year-old centre-back Joan Martínez is also expected to make his debut in a Clásico in the early hours of Sunday.
Following the clash against Barcelona, Real Madrid will have one final match on American soil. Chelsea will face the Merengues in Charlotte after which the squad will return to Spain.
On August 7, the remaining internationals—Mendy, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Mbappé, Valverde, Carvajal, and Bellingham—will be expected at Valdebebas to begin their preparation. On August 14, the club will compete for the first title of the season, the UEFA Super Cup, against Atalanta in Warsaw.