Real Madrid’s potential starting XI for the Champions League game against Liverpool

The big question that swirls around Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI for the Champions League game against a wounded Liverpool (16:00 ET) is simple: who is the third midfielder, Camavinga or Tchouaméni? This conundrum is not something new, either, as the two Frenchmen have been vying for the same position since their return from the World Cup.

Camavinga, while Tchouaméni was injured, shone for a brief moment in that position, and Ancelotti was quick not to get too excited: “It is true that he makes some obvious mistakes, from time to time, but in the end he plays so well that you forget them”.

Tchouaméni to pilot the pivot position

Despite this and despite everything, it is Tchouameni who, on a night where the margin of error is not allowed to exist, has the higher chance of making the final cut. Carletto is aware that the turbulent air that can surround Camavinga could well be counterproductive in a game that calls for clear skies and calm heads. In moments like these, Tchouaméni is your man.

Sorry, Camavinga, there’s no room here, either

The other issue for Ancelotti, albeit smaller than the midfield coin flip, is what to do at left back. Despite the fact that Mendy has managed to complete several consecutive training sessions and has been fully reintegrated as part of the squad, he is not yet ready to start and, above all, in a match of this magnitude.

Stopping Salah is, again, the big request of the night and the player who showed how to do so at Anfield was Nacho. His game in England immediately won him a place in the XI for the return leg and locked the second door to which Camavinga has a key. Because, let’s be honest, the other midfield positions are not up for debate: it’s a night for Modric and Kroos.

Benzema is fit, so Beznema plays

Up front, the captain returns: Karim Benzema, now fully recovered from his eighth injury of the season and after missing his 14th game of the season (a 3-0 win over Espanyol). This has, for obvious reasons, not been Benzema’s most consistent season on the pitch, but he arrives in ‘apparently’ good shape for the game, with that information, there is no debate as to what will happen: Benzema starts.

His support players will be Valverde and Vinicius, as easy as that. There are no more dilemmas in defence either: in front of Courtois’ goal will be Carvajal, Militão and Rüdiger, along with the aforementioned Nacho. The finest outfit for a gala evening at the Santiago Bernabéu.