MU Shorts
Modric, Valverde start in a 4-3-3: How Real Madrid could line up against Barcelona
Real Madrid will be aiming to overturn the one-goal deficit from the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg and book a place in the finals when they take on eternal rivals Barcelona at Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
The Merengues succumbed to a 1-0 defeat in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu back in March and will have a huge challenge to turn things around against an in-form opponent in their own backyard.
The momentum will also be with Barcelona, given that they have won each of the last three El Clasico encounters. But, the 6-0 win over Real Valladolid this past weekend should give Carlo Ancelotti’s men a confidence boost heading into Wednesday’s match.
Ahead of the big game at Camp Nou, we take a look at how Real Madrid could line up against Barcelona with a spot in the Copa del Rey finals at stake.
Starters
Thibaut Courtois might not have had the same level of success as last season, but he remains a critical part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid side and will continue under the woodwork against Barcelona.
Dani Carvajal should return at right-back after not starting against Valladolid over the weekend. The Spaniard will be in for a tricky challenge against the duo of Gavi and Alejandro Balde on Barça’s left flank.
Meanwhile, Eder Militao and David Alaba should continue as the centre-backs despite Antonio Rudiger recovering from his injury. Nacho ought to get the nod at left-back, having returned from suspension. The veteran will be tasked with keeping Raphinha quiet.
Nacho’s return should free up Eduardo Camavinga to move into the midfield, where he can make a difference with his energy, physicality, and ability on the ball. Aurelien Tchouameni ought to slot in as the No. 6 and screen the backline.
During his presser, Ancelotti hinted that there is no guarantee that he will start both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the side. And given that the latter played the full game versus Valladolid, Modric should start in the third slot in midfield.
Rodrygo Goes was one of the best players for Real Madrid against Valladolid over the weekend. But as is the case for the big games, Ancelotti is likely to recall Federico Valverde after resting him last time out. Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr will round up the Real Madrid frontline.
Vinicius · Benzema · Valverde
Camavinga · Tchouameni · Modric
Nacho · Alaba · Militao · Carvajal
Courtois
Substitutes
Rodrygo is certain to come onto the pitch at some point in the game if he does not start. Marco Asensio, who also had a good outing at the weekend, should get some minutes on the pitch, especially if Real Madrid are chasing the game.
Antonio Rudiger could be sent on at some point in the second half to replace David Alaba, who has recovered from an injury only recently.
Having not played a single minute in an El Clasico encounter in his spell at Real Madrid, Eden Hazard may get to make his Clasico debut after he featured against Valladolid.
Following their first loss of the season against Real Betis, Real Madrid face a tough test tonight as they take on Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu in their UEFA Champions League opener.
The Nerazzurri are first of a tricky set of opponents for the Merengues in the league phase of Europe’s premier competition and will pose a monumental challenge to Jose Mourinho and his men.
After all, the Serie A champions have won each of their three matches this season, with their latest game ending in a 3-2 comeback win over Napoli.
The fact that Real Madrid go into the game with some notable absences makes the task even harder, given as Mourinho will be unable to call upon Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva, and Eduardo Camavinga through suspensions.
Meanwhile, Raul Asencio, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo remain unavailable through injuries, whereas Ferland Mendy has not been registered in the Champions League this season.
There is some positive news, though, with Endrick, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Thiago Pitarch recovering from their physical issues, which could lead them to making their comeback tonight, but not as starters.
With some major decisions to be made with regard to his personnel, here is how Mourinho could set out his Real Madrid lineup tonight at the Bernabeu.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois remains the undisputed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will be key to them getting off the mark in the Champions League this season.
As for the defence, Ibrahima Konate is seemingly ahead of Antonio Rudiger in the centre-back position and start again tonight. He will partner with Dean Huijsen, who has been a standout performer under Mourinho.
On the right side of the defence, Denzel Dumfries should get the nod against his former club, with Trent Alexander-Arnold likely being held back as a possible option in midfield.
World Cup winner Marc Cucurella will continue on the left, ahead of Alvaro Carreras, despite coming off with a minor physical concern against Betis.
Midfield
The midfield department is where things get tricky for Mourinho and Real Madrid, given that Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Guler are unavailable and Aurelien Tchouameni is not ready to start matches.
Federico Valverde is an obvious starter in one of the two positions, and as for his partner, Mourinho has options like using Trent in midfield or turning to youngster Jorge Cestero.
But the likeliest route that the Portuguese tactician will take is to pull Jude Bellingham into a deeper position for tonight’s game, despite the England superstar’s effectiveness as a No. 10 in the first few matches.
With Bellingham moving into the double pivot and Guler unavailable, it should pave the way for Brahim Diaz to slot in as the central attacking midfielder for Los Blancos.
Attack
This could finally turn out to be the night that Real Madrid’s most expensive signing of the summer, Yan Diomande, makes his first start for the club.
The Ivorian international has so far only featured off the bench, with Mourinho preferring Guler on the right. But with the Turkish star suspended and Brahim operating centrally, the door is open for Diomande to start.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. will retain their respective places in the Real Madrid attacking line and hope to make a mark after failing to do so at the weekend.
