Real Madrid News
Carlo Ancelotti could make 4-5 changes to the Real Madrid lineup against Mallorca
After winning each of their six matches across all competitions in the 2022/23 season, Real Madrid will look to extend the streak when they face RCD Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga this weekend.
Los Blancos are currently at the top of the La Liga standings with four victories in four and will hope to continue their perfect start to the campaign when Javier Aguirre’s side come visiting on Sunday afternoon.
And, according to Melchor Ruiz of COPE, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is planning to make several changes to the starting lineup for the Mallorca game.
The Italian tactician had appeared reluctant to rotate players during the last season. But he has iterated that he will change and rest his players regularly this time around due to the cramped schedule owing to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
And, on Sunday, the manager is said to be planning at least four or five changes to the team that started in the midweek UEFA Champions League clash against Celtic on Tuesday night.
Two of the changes that Ancelotti will be making will be enforced as Karim Benzema and Eder Militao have been ruled out of the Mallorca clash due to injuries. Replacing the duo in the lineup would be Eden Hazard and Antonio Rudiger, respectively.
Apart from Hazard and Rudiger, the report insists that Ancelotti will likely hand starting spots to some or all of Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo Goes, Lucas Vazquez and Dani Ceballos.
Rodrygo is very much deserving of a spot in the lineup after some of his recent performances from the bench. Introducing Camavinga and Ceballos would allow Ancelotti to rest his senior midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Given Dani Carvajal’s recent fitness woes, it would be sensible to give him a reprieve and start Vazquez as well.
It will be interesting to see if Ancelotti makes all these aforementioned speculated changes and, if so, how it affects Real Madrid’s performance against Mallorca.
Real Madrid have finally received some good news as MARCA confirms that Nacho has finally made his decision about his future, and is set to continue at the club for the foreseeable future.
His contract expires in the summer, and Real Madrid had tabled an extension for the player, which was not accepted by the Spaniard at the time. Now, however, he has decided to reject offers from Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.
Nacho will sign a one year extension, with the option to extend for another year if both parties reach an agreement.
His continuity also means that he will be the new club captain for the 2023/24 season, since Karim Benzema is leaving the club on a free transfer in the summer. Luka Modric will be second captain, followed by Daniel Carvajal and Toni Kroos.
Carlo Ancelotti has also spoken to the player, confirming that they trust him for next season in the team, which has gone a long way in helping convince the player.
The Italian gaffer also spoke about the Spanish defender’s contract situation after the game against Athletic Club yesterday, saying:
“Asensio, Nacho and Ceballos? We have explained them their roles. The club have offered them renewals. Asensio has preferred to leave, Ceballos and Nacho are still thinking about it.”
While a centre-back by trade, Nacho has played across the defence for Madrid continuously, including putting shifts at left-back, right-back, and even centre-back.
His departure would have probably pushed Madrid to sign another defender, especially since they are considering selling Ferland Mendy if a good offer arrives.
Regardless of that, though, Madrid are moving to sign Alphonso Davies, and have already made initial contacts with the player. Bayern Munich have not rejected their advances.
Further, the los blancos management have already met with Davies’ entourage twice, cementing their interest in the Canadian ace.
