Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make five changes to his team that faces Real Valladolid … [+] in La Liga on Saturday, compared with the outfit that beat RB Salzburg in the Champions League midweek.
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Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make five changes to his team that faces Real Valladolid in La Liga on Saturday, compared with the outfit that beat RB Salzburg in the Champions League midweek.
At a prematch press conference on Friday afternoon in the Spanish capital, the Italian vowed that the leaders will “give the match the importance it deserves”.
This is how he began answering a question on whether he will make rotations, before adding: “It’s a very important match to maintain leadership. I’m going to put the best team out possible. It is a demanding calendar and little by little we are getting into rhythm to get excited.”
For Ancelotti, “the objective is clear”. “We have become leaders and we must maintain the position. It’s an important moment in La Liga and we must take advantage of it to continue winning,” he further said.
Though Ancelotti vowed to field his best team possible, he will still make five changes compared to the team that beat RB Salzburg 5-1 on Wednesday in the UCL league phase.
Thibaut Courtois keeps his place in goal, but Raul Asencio comes in to replace Fede Valverde at right back while Fran Garcia nudges Ferland Mendy from the left back berth.
The center backs are Aurelien Tchoumeni and Antonio Rudiger, with captain Luka Modric benched from the double pivot.
Dani Ceballos keeps his place there, with Valverde moving up to partner him.
Vinicius Jr. couldn’t make the squad list, but Ancelotti sees the positives in the winger sitting this one out.
“In this sense, it is good for him,” Ancelotti remarked at the same mentioned press conference where he was probed on comments the Brazilian made about his future.
“Because he doesn’t only have days of recovery, work, training. In March, April, a fresh player will arrive at an important moment of the season.”
Brahim Diaz replaces the Ballon d’Or runner up then, though a Rodrygo in fine form occupies Vini’s left flank.
Brahim is instead on the right, with Kylian Mbappe the central number 9 striker and lone target man between the two widemen.
