Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make at least four changes when his team faces crosstown foe Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.
Los Blancos are coming off another defeat in La Liga; a 2-1 loss to Real Betis on Saturday which allowed their opponent on the continent in Diego Simeone’s men head two clear in the Spanish top flight.
Through a 4-0 thrashing of Real Sociedad, who coincidentally meet Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals, FC Barcelona managed to go three points in front of its arch nemesis in El Clasico and one over Atleti.
Yet whenever it seems to be on the outs domestically, Madrid comes alive in the competition that it has won a record 15 times, and in which it will play its 500th game while hosting a club it memorably beat in the 2014 and 2016 finals.
Leading Madrid to the first of those landmark victories, Ancelotti claimed at his prematch press conference that Tuesday’s affair “will be an even tie and it will be decided in the second leg”.
"The goal tomorrow is to play well and take an advantage. The match is even and competitive, but we can’t think about taking a big lead tomorrow. The opponent is a strong rival," he added.
As always, the Italian was tight-lipped on who will play at right back and had to field a question on whether he has “a sufficient squad for three competitions” which Barca opposite number Hansi Flick vowed his team will fight for.
"We have had very serious injuries … Sometimes injuries are an opportunity to see the character of the team and the squad and new players. The truth is that it is a very physically demanding schedule for the players," he answered without committing.
Be that as it may, Ancelotti has to play with the cards he was dealt in terms of suspensions and niggles.
Thibaut Courtois starts in goal then, and has a back line of Ferland Mendy, Toni Rudiger, Raul Asencio and midfielder Fede Valverde at right back.
It is a French double pivot of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, as the more advanced trio are wingers Vinicius Jr. and Brahim Diaz while Rodrygo operates as a CAM in the banned Jude Bellingham’s place. Up front, it is of course lone number 9 Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid Starting XI Vs. Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Mendy, Rudiger, Asencio, Valverde; Camavinga, Tchouameni; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Brahim; Mbappe