Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid lineup against RCD Espanyol
Real Madrid will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways after three games without a victory when they take on RCD Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu later today.
Ahead of the game, manager Carlo Ancelotti has released the starting XI that will be taking the field at the Bernabeu against the Catalan outfit.
As had been confirmed by the Italian tactician during his presser, Rodrygo Goes starts as the centre-forward in the absence of Karim Benzema. He is flanked by Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr out on the wings.
In the middle of the park, Aurelien Tchouameni occupies the No. 6 slot as usual. He will have the support of veteran duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, with the former returning after missing the last game due to suspension.
As for the defence, Dani Carvajal slots in at right-back while Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez start as the centre-backs. Eduardo Camavinga gets the nod at left-back with Thibaut Courtois manning the goal.
📋✅ Our starting XI 🆚 @RCDEspanyol! #RealMadridEspanyol pic.twitter.com/dlAKE8MqAj
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 11, 2023
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid locker room angry with Barcelona midfielder’s ‘unsportsmanlike’ behaviour – report
While the evident frustration among the Real Madrid players was quite visible following the recent 1-2 defeat against Barcelona, the feeling of vexation was not really limited on the field.
Journalist Mario Cortegana, while writing for The Athletic, has confirmed that once the players got into the dressing room, the environment had an air of anger and frustration.
Players from each team had a go at each other right till the end, especially the likes of Dani Carvajal and Arnau Tenas, who had to be separated by several members from both teams.
Interestingly, before the aforementioned incident, Barcelona midfielder Gavi was already causing some trouble on the field. The youngster did not shy away from putting his body on the line throughout the game and it annoyed Madrid players to the extreme.
First, he pushed Carvajal in one incident and after that, he entangled himself in an off-the-ball clash with Dani Ceballos. The Madrid midfielder first had a collision with Robert Lewandowski and as the game moved on, Gavi made note of the incident.
During the run of play, Gavi pushed Ceballos with his shoulder and it did not settle well with the Madrid players and manager Carlo Ancelotti. The players and the manager were disturbed by Gavi’s behaviour and considered it ‘unsportsmanlike’.
On the other hand, there was frustration involving refereeing decisions as well. It must be remembered that in the 82nd minute, Marco Asensio found the back of the net to send the Madrid fans into a frenzy.
The celebration, however, was cut short as VAR disallowed the goal for an extremely tight offside. “We are sad, frustrated,” a dressing room source told The Athletic. “What happened? A guy looking at a TV in Madrid has decided La Liga.”
Ancelotti, on his part, said: “The disallowed goal? I don’t know, I really don’t know. I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know. I’m leaving with this doubt. If the VAR is sure.”
“I leave this match very proud. I don’t think we deserved to lose today,” he added.
