Real Madrid News
Ancelotti expected to massively shake up Real Madrid starting XI against Sociedad
Dishing out defeats to Manchester City and FC Barcelona in quick succession, Real Madrid trampled over two of their biggest tests of the season.
The Merengues’ success in the recent Clasico has put them in pole position to emerge victorious in La Liga and fully focus on the Champions League semi-finals, where they will take on Bayern Munich.
And due to their dominant 11-point lead over Barcelona, heavy rotations in the starting XI are expected in Real Madrid’s clash against Real Sociedad at the infamous Anoeta stadium.
Ancelotti will make a whopping 9 changes
Indeed, as per Radio MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra) tomorrow, Ancelotti will make nine changes to the starting lineup from the last match against Barça.
With little on the line, the coaching staff sees it best to preserve the key starters and provide fringe players with game time. After all, soon after facing off against La Real, Bayern Munich will host Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena.
The report additionally claims that Luka Modrić, Aurilien Tchouameni, and Kepa Arrizabalaga will be the ones to get the nod from Ancelotti.
Modric has been scarcely availed in the starting XI lately, while Kepa’s place in goal has also been overtaken by Andriy Lunin, which explains their possible involvement.
Meanwhile, Tchouameni did not start Real Madrid’s last two games and thus he will be fresh enough to nail a position in the lineup.
All eyes on Arda Guler
Arda Guler would certainly be licking his chops at the opportunity to get some much-needed exposure in the starting XI, having spent a large portion of his season on the bench.
He has not played in any of Real Madrid’s previous five games in any competition, so tomorrow might be his moment to prove the naysayers wrong.
It has been reported that the Turkish sensation is expected to get minutes against Real Sociedad tomorrow, but it remains to be seen if he starts.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hope captain will resume group training tomorrow and be ready for Villarreal
Real Madrid received a major boost in training today as Kylian Mbappe participated in the group session, indicating his readiness for the upcoming game against Villarreal.
The French superstar had returned from international duty with a knee injury, but seems to have left it behind and appears ready to start at the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday.
What about Federico Valverde?
Now, according to AS, Federico Valverde was not part of the group training session today at Valdebebas. Instead, he was involved in an individual session away from his teammates.
However, Real Madrid hope that their club captain will be able to resume working with the rest of the squad on Thursday, putting him in the fray to return in time for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.
Valverde is currently recovering from an ankle sprain that he sustained in Real Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid prior to the international break.
The Uruguayan midfielder was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Kang-In Lee, which left him injured, ruling him out of action for the national team.
The 28-year-old stayed behind in Madrid and has worked hard on his recovery, with things progressing in the right direction.
What now remains to be seen is whether he can jump back into group training session on Thursday, which would put him on the path to return to action against Villarreal.
A key player for Mourinho
So far this season, Valverde has emerged as a permanent fixture in the team under new manager Jose Mourinho.
The Real Madrid captain has started all of the team’s eight matches in all competitions this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
His potential availability for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal will come as a major boost for Mourinho & co. Everything will depend on how things progress in tomorrow’s training session at Valdebebas.
With Ibrahima Konate also recovering from his knee sprain, Real Madrid have only three players sidelined currently: Raul Asencio, who recently underwent surgery, Rodrygo Goes, who is a long-term absentee, and Ferland Mendy, who has resumed work with the ball.
