Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make several changes to his line up and also alter tactics when the defending holders face Brest in a must-win Champions League clash on Wednesday.
At a prematch press conference on Tuesday, Ancelotti complimented his side's French foe, which has been one of the surprise packages of the new look 'league phase' in Europe's elite club competition.
"They're doing well, they have one more point than us and a chance to qualify for the top eight. It will be a good game. We want to get as high as possible in the table," remarked Ancelotti, who has previously accepted that his men are aiming for the chance to contest a playoff that will grant qualification to the knockout stage thanks to slip ups towards the end of 2024 against the likes of Lille and AC Milan.
"It is no coincidence that Brest have taken 13 points in this first phase, because it has done better than its rivals. It's a team that we respect a lot," he also said.
Every fixture on the last matchday of the league phase kicks off at the same time on Wednesday, but Ancelotti insisted that "we are not going to be aware of the others" in terms of keeping an eye on what rival sides are up to as the evening progresses.
"We're going to be aware of our game, to reach the top of the table. We have no idea, we're just focused on winning our game," he further commented.
As for the starting XI then, it is Thibaut Courtois in goal as Ferland Mendy replaces Fran Garcia at left back and Lucas Vazquez's return at right back allows Raul Asencio to move from that role he played against Real Valladolid to the center of the defense to partner Antonio Rudiger.
Ancelotti fields four midfielders in a tactical switch to a straight 4-4-2, and the center of the park reads Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham from left to right.
With Vinicius Jr. out suspended, a pair of strikers in fine form are up front in Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid Starting XI Vs. Brest: Courtois; Mendy, Rudiger, Asencio, Vazquez; Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Bellingham; Mbappe, Rodrygo