Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid squad list against Elche
Back from winning the Club World Cup for the fifth time, Real Madrid are under some serious pressure in La Liga from Barcelona. The Catalans registered a 0-1 win over Villarreal this weekend, taking them 11 points clear on top of the table.
Madrid can cut the deficit to eight when they take on Elche on 15th, and have announced the squad list for the game. There are a fair few names missing from the squad, starting from Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgian did not travel to Morocco for the CWC, either, and will likely be back for the Osasuna clash on the weekend.
Lucas Vazquez returns to the squad after missing a more than a month’s worth of games due to injury. Eden Hazard, however, is still out.
Madrid also lack the services of Vinicius Jr, who picked up his fifth yellow card against RCD Mallorca. He will miss the game against Elche, and will start afresh in the Osasuna clash.
Toni Kroos has also been dropped from the squad due to gastroenteritis, with Sergio Arribas taking his place in the midfield column. The youngster was on the scoresheet in the CWC semis against Al Ahly SC in the 1-4 win.
📋✅ Our squad for the match 🆚 @Elchecf_en! #RealMadridElche pic.twitter.com/gELSMoF4CD
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 14, 2023
Earlier today, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke openly about the rumours linking him to the vacant Brazil national team job.
The Italian tactician has emerged as the top target for the Selecao to succeed Tite, who was let go of after the FIFA World Cup 2022.
The president of the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues, has made it clear that Ancelotti is the preferred candidate for the job.
Reacting to the same, Ancelotti, during his press conference today, said: “The reality is that the Brazilian national team wants me and I love it and I’m very excited about it, but then I have to respect the contract I have and I want to fulfil it.”
“I’m not surprised that there are these rumours. It doesn’t affect me, it doesn’t worry me. I’m just focused on fulfilling my duties with this club and with this team. I’m still here until Real Madrid allow me to stay.”
While the 63-year-old might be saying that he wishes to fulfil his contract at Real Madrid, which expires in 2024, he did not shy away from stating that he was happy about Brazil’s interest in him.
And now, Fabrizio Romano (h/t Madrid Zone) is reporting that the Selecao are ready to wait until June to go ahead with the appointment of Ancelotti.
While the Italian tactician remains in control at this point at Real Madrid, things could change drastically over the next couple of months.
The La Liga title looks already out of the Merengues’ hands while they are also trailing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final. If they fail to go all the way in the UEFA Champions League as well, Florentino Perez could decide to make some changes, starting with Ancelotti.
Hence, Brazil are happy to wait patiently until June and see how the situation is at that point and whether Ancelotti is available. With no major matches coming up for the Selecao until September, they can afford to wait as well.
