Real Madrid’s possible starting XI against Real Betis in LaLiga Santander

No half measures: that is Carlo Ancelotti’s recipe for facing Real Betis (3:00 P.M. ET). With the defeat against Barça still latent, the white team must lick their wounds at Villamarín so as not to move even further away from the chance of the LaLiga title. With no midweek game on the horizon, the Italian coach has no need to rest footballers other than Luka Modric who will have to miss out due to the number of yellow cards he has received.

In addition to the absences of Mendy, Alaba (injured) and Lunin, with the Ukrainian goalkeeper being the last to fall from the squad list due to gastroenteritis, it is an eleven where two unknowns stand out: Lucas Vazquez or Carvajal; Ceballos or Valverde?

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Ancelotti’s selection headache

The first question on the table is not only whether or not to give Carvajal a break, but to reward Lucas Vázquez, whose commitment and performance is always faultless.He has not started since January 11, in the Super Cup semifinal against Valencia, where he injured his ankle. Against Betis there is a fantastic opportunity to return to the starting side.

Alongside the chosen right back will be Militão and Rüdiger, who are getting better game by game with the German taking advantage of Alaba’s absence; Camavinga will play in defence too, opening a gap for Tchouaméni in the engine room.

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Madrid’s midfield mixture

Another change from rthe defeat against Barça, would be the presence of Aurélien Tchouaméni as a defensive pivot to try to recover his match sharpness that he has lacked since the World Cup. Without Modric in the team, Kroos seems non-negotiable to bring experience to the midfield, with the other unknown to complete the trio.

Ceballos was the victim against the Catalan side; he did not play a minute despite his great form and has a chance to start against his former team, but Valverde is also an option that would bring a different flavour to the middle of the pitch.

Rodrygo’s return to eleven

Everything points towards Rodrygo having the opportunity to vindicate himself after his quick recovery that led him to play the last minutes of the Clásico. The Brazilian is set to start on the right, as Vinicius and Benzema are a constant that Carletto only modifies out of necessity. Not even the impact of Álvaro Rodríguez can make the Italian consider a change in his deadly attacking duo.

Madrid’s probable lineup vs Betis:

Real Madrid

• España

NewsStatistics

LaLiga Santander 2022/2023

Classification	PTS	WM	TM	LM
1Barcelona	59	19	2	2
2Real Madrid	52	16	4	3
3Real Sociedad	44	13	5	6

Full classification

Upcoming matches
Real Betis - Real Madrid	S-05/03 15:00
Real Madrid - Espanyol	S-11/03 08:00
Barcelona - Real Madrid	S-19/03 16:00

Calendar

*Data updated to date Mar 4th, 2023