Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make up to eight changes and a tactical shift when his side meets crosstown rival Atletico Madrid in a La Liga derby which could have a great impact on the title race.
Los Blancos are one point clear at the top going into the mouthwatering clash, with Simeone’s men able to go two ahead themselves with a victory behind enemy lines at the Bernabeu.
At a prematch press conference on Saturday where he took a swipe back at the league’s president Javier Tebas for saying that people have “lost their minds” at his club, Ancelotti predicted a “difficult, complicated match” ahead of what is set to be another at the Etihad against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.
“But these are the games where you like to be, even if there’s enormous pressure around it. It’s a game that everyone is going to watch. It will be a great show, with huge players on the field.
“A competitive, tough match. And you’re there, maybe in the most uncomfortable place on the pitch, but you’re there, fighting with your team. They are games that you have to enjoy and then… to enjoy or suffer,” the Italian explained.
Compared to Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, Ancelotti will make eight changes to his starting line up beginning with Thibaut Courtois relieving Andriy Lunin of goalkeeping duties.
Fede Valverde is moved from right back up to midfield, as captain Lucas Vazquez takes the position.
With David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger out injured, Ancelotti has to go for rookie Raul Asencio and pivot Aurelien Tchouameni in the heart of the back line with Fran Garcia to their left.
As said, Valverde is in midfield partnering Dani Ceballos behind a more advanced Jude Bellingham.
As doubts remain over his future at the club, amid reports of him rejecting a contract extension by The Athletic, Vinicius Jr. is the left winger.
That means that Kylian Mbappe is the central number 9 as a Rodrygo arguably in his best form since joining Madrid in 2019 is on the right flank.