MU Shorts
Asensio, Rodrygo start in a 4-3-3: How Real Madrid could line up against Real Sociedad
Real Madrid will look to prepare for their Copa del Rey final later this week with a victory when they face off against Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena later tonight.
After a disappointing defeat to Girona last week, Real Madrid bounced back strongly with a 4-2 victory over UD Almeria. With important fixtures against Osasuna and Manchester City coming up, it is important for the Merengues to keep building steam.
At the same time, though, manager Carlo Ancelotti is dealing with some key absences heading into tonight’s game at a difficult venue against a difficult opponent who are pushing for a top-four finish in La Liga.
Furthermore, the Real Madrid manager will also have an eye on protecting his important players for the Copa del Rey final as well. Here’s how the reigning champions could line up against the Basque club tonight at Reale Arena.
Starters
While Real Madrid could make changes across the pitch tonight, there is unlikely to be any alteration when it comes to the goal, with Thibaut Courtois expected to hold on to his spot under the woodwork.
Lucas Vazquez should continue at right-back once again, ahead of Dani Carvajal, with the latter likely to be shielded for the cup final. With David Alaba still unavailable, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger should continue as the centre-backs.
Moving to the left side of the defence, Nacho Fernandez becomes the obvious pick with Ferland Mendy still injured and Eduardo Camavinga out with suspension.
Aurelien Tchouameni should get the nod as the holding midfielder for Real Madrid, with the Frenchman tasked with shielding the defence. Dani Ceballos, whose future continues to be uncertain, will feature once again in the injury-enforced absence of Luka Modric.
Toni Kroos should occupy the third midfield slot for the Spanish capital club, although he will likely be taken off at some point in the second period.
Captain Karim Benzema has not been included in the squad by Carlo Ancelotti, with the manager seemingly opting to rest his ace goalscorer. In his absence, Rodrygo Goes is expected to slot in as the No. 9 for Real Madrid against Sociedad.
With Vinicius Jr missing due to a suspension, Marco Asensio could be moved to the left flank to accommodate Federico Valverde on the right, although Sergio Arribas could also be an option.
Substitutes
Given the lack of options, it is almost certain that Sergio Arribas will be getting some minutes for Real Madrid in the second half, that is if he does not feature from the start itself.
Forgotten man Eden Hazard could be another player who can benefit from the absences and Carlo Ancelotti’s focus on the Copa del Rey final. Youngster Alvaro Rodriguez, who is back in the squad after recovering from a minor injury, could also be in for some on-field action.
Jesus Vallejo could be called in during the latter stages as Ancelotti might want to rest Antonio Rudiger with an eye on the Osasuna clash. Nico Paz, who is generating a lot of excitement within the club, could get a chance to make his La Liga debut.
After returning to winning ways against Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid will be aiming to build on it and collect three more points when they face Sevilla in the penultimate matchweek of the 2022/23 La Liga campaign tonight.
Thanks to the victory over Rayo coupled with Atletico Madrid’s slip-up against Espanyol, Carlo Ancelotti’s men were able to reclaim the second spot in the table and must now fight to keep hold of it in the remaining two matches of the season.
A trip to Sevilla, though, can be a tricky prospect, especially with the team hit by injuries and going with a depleted attacking unit.
Indeed, Real Madrid will be without Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, and Vinicius Jr tonight against Los Nervionenses due to injuries. Ancelotti thus has only three natural forwards at his disposal for the game at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
With that in mind, here is how Ancelotti could set his Real Madrid team up against Jose Luis Mendilibar’s Sevilla side tonight.
Starters
Thibaut Courtois is a guaranteed starter in goal for Real Madrid. The Belgian has always stood up for the team in important matches and will need to do so against Sevilla tonight.
Dani Carvajal has been ruled out of the contest due to suspension, which should pave the way for Lucas Vazquez to get the nod at right-back. Eder Militao should return at centre-back after not starting against Rayo, with the Brazilian partnering Antonio Rudiger
Ferland Mendy will likely get the nod at left-back as he fights for his future at Real Madrid in the final few games of the campaign.
Having fallen behind Eduardo Camavinga and Toni Kroos in the pecking order, Aurelien Tchouameni will have a point to prove as he looks likely to start for Real Madrid in the holding midfield role tonight.
Both Kroos and Luka Modric started in midweek against Rayo and could thus be given a breather tonight, with Dani Ceballos and Camavinga occupying the remaining two midfield slots for the Merengues.
Moving into the attacking unit, manager Carlo Ancelotti is running short on options. As such, Federico Valverde should start out on the right flank against Sevilla.
Meanwhile, even though Eden Hazard is an option, Rodrygo Goes, who scored the winner against Rayo Vallecano, should get the nod on the left wing in the absence of his compatriot Vinicius Jr.
It should pave the way for youngster Alvaro Rodriguez to start in the No. 9 role for Real Madrid against Sevilla, with Karim Benzema unavailable.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois, Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy, Ceballos, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde, Alvaro Rodriguez, Rodrygo.
Substitutes
Given the lack of options, Eden Hazard is certain to make an appearance at some point in the game against Sevilla. The likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos may also be called upon if things are not going Real Madrid’s way on the night.
Depending on the game situation, Carlo Ancelotti could turn to Nacho or David Alaba if he is looking to shut up shop.
