Real Madrid’s possible starting XI vs Valencia in LaLiga

Real Madrid have very little to play for during what is left of the season, with their main task holding off a late Atlético push for second. Given the lack of jeopardy, Ancelotti will use the remaining games to rotate and give a breath of fresh air to his starting XI. The team in against Valencia this Sunday (here’s how to watch, KO at 12:30 p.m. ET) will have changes compared to the 4-0 drubbing in Manchester last Wednesday that saw the elimination of the Spanish team in the Champions League semi-final.

Carletto will make several changes and they will all mainly be aimed at the defence: Lucas Vázquez is an option to play instead of Dani Carvajal, while Mendy will return as a starter having finally recovered from his latest injury setback. In the middle of defence, Rüdiger, who was a surprise substitute at the Etihad Stadium, is aiming for a starting position.

Madrid’s midfield changes

In front of the defence, there will also be changes. Dani Ceballos, who on Saturday was watching the final of the Youth Champions Cup between Real Madrid and Betis in Las Rozas, will enter into the XI, with Camavinga recovering the pivot position and Modric remaining as the other inside midfielder in Ancelotti’s 4-3-3.

Where differences are not expected is in the attacking line, with the usual trio Rodrygo-Benzema-Vinicius set for a visit to Mestalla in which the home team, Valencia, are still in a perilous situation in the league.

Neither Hazard nor Mariano are in the squad

The only two absences from Madrid’s squad are Hazard and Mariano. The pair, although they participated in the training session this Saturday in Valdebebas, dropped off the list at the last minute due to various niggling injuries. Mariano has an injury to his right thigh and Hazard has a knock on his right ankle. They won’t play this weekend.