MU Shorts
Kroos, Vinicius start in a 4-3-3: How Real Madrid could line up against Chelsea
Real Madrid will look to secure progression to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League when they take on Chelsea in the quarter-final second leg tonight at Stamford Bridge.
Real Madrid, current holders of the Champions League trophy, secured a 2-0 win over Chelsea in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu last week.
And the aim will be for the Merengues to get the job done in London in a professional manner without letting any complacency creep in, even as Chelsea find themselves in a never-ending abyss of problems on the pitch.
Ahead of the game, Real Madrid have welcomed key duo Toni Kroos and Vinicius Jr back into the fold after the pair missed the La Liga clash against Cadiz due to minor niggles. Ferland Mendy remains the only first-team player out with an injury.
Madrid Universal takes a look at how Carlo Ancelotti could set his team up against Frank Lampard’s side tonight at Stamford Bridge.
Starters
It goes without saying that Carlo Ancelotti will ring in the changes after rotating heavily for the weekend La Liga clash against Cadiz. There is a strong chance that the Real Madrid boss will go into the game with the same lineup as the one from the first leg in Spain last week.
It would see David Alaba replace Antonio Rudiger as Eder Militao’s centre-back partner while Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga reclaim their berths as the right-back and left-back, respectively. Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Vazquez, and Nacho Fernandez will drop to the bench.
Former Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois will continue to guard the goal on his return to Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, in midfield, Federico Valverde is expected to keep his place in the starting lineup. But there will be two other changes as the fit-again Toni Kroos should replace Aurelien Tchouameni as the pivot, while Luka Modric comes in for Dani Ceballos.
With Vinicius Jr returning, the attacking lineup picks itself for Real Madrid. The Brazilian ought to line up in his customary left-wing slot while his compatriot, Rodrygo Goes moves to the right flank. Club captain Karim Benzema will be the man spearheading Los Blancos’ attack against Chelsea.
Vinicius · Benzema · Rodrygo
Modric · Kroos · Valverde
Camavinga · Alaba · Militao · Carvajal
Courtois
Substitutes
Marco Asensio has scored two goals in two games and will feel hard done by as he will be left out on the bench. But the Spaniard will invariably be called upon by manager Carlo Ancelotti at some point in the second period at Stamford Bridge.
Dani Ceballos is another player who will come on in the latter stages to add more legs and energy in midfield, while Aurelien Tchouameni could also get some minutes as Ancelotti looks to relieve the returning Toni Kroos.
Antonio Rudiger could also come onto the field in the second period, as he did in the first leg as he returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since leaving Chelsea. If the game is in the bag, Eden Hazard could also make a token appearance on his return to Stamford Bridge, where he is still adored by the fans.
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.
