Real Madrid’s possible line-up vs Real Sociedad: why isn’t Bellingham playing?

Arda Güler or Brahim Díaz. That seems to be the question facing Carlo Ancelotti as he chooses his team for the matchday-five clash against Real Sociedad this weekend, when LaLiga action returns following the September international break. That selection poser aside, Los Blancos’ line-up appears to pick itself, given the restricted options available to the Madrid head coach.

Ancelotti’s Real injury headache

Ancelotti has named a matchday squad featuring 16 outfield players, of which the five substitutes in San Sebastián are set to comprise three defenders and Chema Andrés, a call-up from the club’s ‘B’-team squad. The Italian’s room for manoeuvre has been hampered by the absence of several players who are out injured, including key midfielders Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga.

In the only position where there is real uncertainty over who’ll get the nod, Ancelotti’s final choice will have a bearing on Madrid’s formation. If Güler comes into the attack, the visitors will look more like a 4-3-3; if he picks Brahim over the Turk, the Spanish and European champions will more closely resemble a 4-4-2.

In the absence of Bellingham, Tchouaméni and Camavinga, as well as fellow injured midfielder Dani Ceballos, the keys to the engine room will be handed to Luka Modric, who has so far started only one game this season - the 1-1 draw away to Las Palmas at the end of August. The Croatian veteran will be supported by Federico Valverde, who is poised to operate in a more defensive role than usual.

In defence, there had been question marks over whether or not Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão would start at Reale Arena; the former played 180 minutes for Spain during international week, while the latter picked up a knock in a Brazil training session. Finally, though, both are expected to play from the off.

Up front, there appears to be little doubt that star forwards Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé will start. Rodrygo Goes is expected to play on the right flank, although it isn’t totally out of the question that he could begin on the bench, given Ancelotti’s concerns over the fatigue suffered by his Brazilian internationals. This would open the door for both Güler and Brahim to come into the line-up; however, this seems to be only an outside possibility, and it is likely to be one or the other.

Real Madrid’s possible starting line-up

Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy; Federico Valverde, Luka Modric, Arda Güler or Brahim Díaz; Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.

Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid: start time, how to watch

Real Sociedad host Real Madrid on Saturday September 14, 2024, with kick-off at Reale Arena scheduled for 3pm ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the United States will be able to watch the game on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.

Madrid head to the Basque Country sitting second in LaLiga, four points behind early leaders Barcelona. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, are down in 13th position, having won only one of their four matches so far.