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.
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.
