MU Shorts
Asensio, Tchouameni start in a 4-3-3: How Real Madrid could line up against Celta Vigo
After picking up three wins in a row in all competitions, Real Madrid will be pushing to make it four in four when they lock horns with Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu later tonight in La Liga.
Real Madrid are currently 11 points behind leaders Barcelona in the table. But the Blaugrana have dropped points in their last two matches in La Liga and face a tough challenge in Atletico Madrid this weekend.
So, Real Madrid could ramp up the pressure on Xavi Hernandez & co. with a victory over Celta Vigo later tonight at the Bernabeu.
The Merengues will have to do so without the services of key defender David Alaba, who picked up an injury against Chelsea earlier this week. Meanwhile, Ferland Mendy and Alvaro Rodriguez also remain unavailable due to injuries.
Madrid Universal takes a look at how Carlo Ancelotti could set his team up for the visit of the Galician outfit tonight.
Starters
Carlo Ancelotti is likely to make a few changes to the team that started in the midweek game against Chelsea, keeping in mind the congested fixture schedule.
Starting off in defence, Nacho Fernandez and Lucas Vazquez are expected to come into the team, replacing Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Carvajal, respectively, in the full-back positions.
Eder Militao will be partnered by Antonio Rudiger at centre-back in David Alaba’s injury-enforced absence, while Thibaut Courtois mans the goal for Real Madrid as usual, looking for another clean sheet.
Multiple alterations could be on the cards in the middle of the park for Real Madrid, with Aurelien Tchouameni all but certain to replace Toni Kroos as the pivot midfielder in the three-man unit. Dani Ceballos is also expected to come into the team, with Luka Modric making way.
Federico Valverde could be the only member of the midfield unit that started against Chelsea, who is likely to keep his place in the lineup versus Celta Vigo.
As for the attacking line, Marco Asensio could be in line for a start as a reward for his impressive cameos off the bench in recent matches. The Spaniard is likely to occupy the right flank, with Rodrygo Goes being given a rest after his brace against Chelsea.
Karim Benzema has emerged unscathed from being stomped on the foot during the game against Chelsea, with Ancelotti confirming he will be involved tonight. The Real Madrid captain should spearhead the attack against Celta, with Vinicius Jr completing the frontline.
Vinicius · Benzema · Asensio
Ceballos · Tchouameni · Valverde
Nacho · Rudiger · Militao · Vazquez
Courtois
Substitutes
Rodrygo Goes, if he does not start, is certain to come on at some point in the second period, especially if Carlo Ancelotti decides to give Karim Benzema a breather. Meanwhile, Eduardo Camavinga could also come into the game in the second half to offer some reprieve to Fede Valverde.
Should the game be tied up, Real Madrid could also send on Jesus Vallejo in place of either Eder Militao or Antonio Rudiger. But if things are not going the team’s way, it will not be a surprise to see the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos come on.
Real Madrid will lock horns with Elche CF away at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight in Matchday 6 of the 2026/27 La Liga season.
The Merengues are currently second in the league standings with four wins and one defeat from five games, three points behind Barcelona, who are yet to drop a single point this term, and have looked unstoppable.
Given the situation, Real Madrid know there is no room for slip-up, even though it is still very early in the season.
Jose Mourinho’s men have not been particularly convincing away from home this term, having just about managed to beat RCD Espanyol in their opening match before falling to their only defeat of the campaign against Real Betis.
The hope will be to address that issue and put in a strong performance while collecting all three points heading into the derby against Atletico Madrid later in the week.
Going into the match, Los Blancos have not received any new fitness boosts, with Eder Militao, Rodrygo Goes, and Ferland Mendy still unavailable.
However, there will likely be some rotations with an eye on the derby, and here’s how Mourinho could set his team up against Elche tonight.
Defence
Trent Alexander-Arnold has had to share minutes with summer signing Denzel Dumfries so far this season, but will be hoping to make the right-back spot his own with a convincing performance tonight against Elche.
Meanwhile, on the left, Alvaro Carreras is expected to retain his place after a brilliant display at the weekend against Rayo Vallecano, which would also allow Marc Cucurella to be protected before the derby.
At centre-back, Dean Huijsen is expected to return to the starting lineup, at the expense of Antonio Rudiger, and partner with Ibrahima Konate.
Thibaut Courtois is the undisputed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will continue his search for a second clean sheet this season.
Midfield
While Aurelien Tchouameni has returned from his injury layoff, he is unlikely to be rushed back by Mourinho. As such, the Frenchman is likely to feature off the bench once again tonight at Elche.
Instead, the double pivot pairing of Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva is expected to take the field once again, with Eduardo Camavinga also having to settle for a spot among the substitutes.
Jude Bellingham has started all of Real Madrid’s matches so far this season and given his form and importance to the team, Mourinho will not rotate him tonight against Elche.
Attack
Yan Diomande made his first start at Real Madrid last weekend against Rayo Vallecano but failed to make the best impression.
Meanwhile, Arda Guler was once again brilliant for Los Blancos after coming on as a substitute, making a strong case for him to be reinstated to the starting XI on the right wing.
As for the left side of the attack, Vinicius Jr. will retain his place, hoping to find his best form after a rather slow start to the campaign.
Kylian Mbappe, who has now scored six goals in La Liga this season, will spearhead the attack, hoping to end his run of seven months without scoring away from home in the league.
