Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Atletico Madrid | Copa del Rey
After Barcelona’s brilliant performance against Real Sociedad in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid will lock horns against Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight.
Carlo Ancelotti has chosen to deploy his best possible team available for selection. David Alaba is excluded despite being named on the squad list due to injury concerns.
In his place, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao get the nod in central defence. Nacho gets the responsibility to provide width from the right, while Ferland Mendy starts on the left.
In midfield, meanwhile, there are no surprise changes apart from the exclusion of Aurelien Tchouameni. Eduardo Camavinga will start at the base as the pivot, while Toni Kroos mans central midfield. Luka Modric rounds off the trident.
Federico Valverde resumes his role as the right winger, while Vinicius Jr mirrors his role on the left. Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois start on either end of the pitch as the striker and goalkeeper respectively.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜 🆚 @atletienglish! #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/fdeDvxloXr
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 26, 2023
As Real Madrid look to restart the campaign following the end of the international break, all focus will be on the upcoming El Clasico in Copa del Rey on April 5.
However, before they take on their arch-rivals for a fourth time this year, Real Madrid must see off the challenge from Real Valladolid in La Liga on Sunday.
Given Barcelona’s 12-point advantage at the top of the table, La Liga appears to be a lost cause for Real Madrid right now. But that is no excuse for Carlo Ancelotti’s men to appear complacent, as they look to push for a late title charge.
However, heading into this contest, three Real Madrid players proceed with caution as they are running the risk of missing out on the next league game against Villarreal due to yellow cards.
The three players in question are Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal, and Dani Ceballos. All three of these players have picked up four yellow cards in La Liga this term. Therefore, picking up another booking against Valladolid will rule them out in the next game.
Camavinga, in particular, has been a vital part of the Real Madrid squad since the turn of the year, impressing onlookers with his performances and versatility.
Carvajal, too, is a critical option at right-back and his experience could go a long way in helping Real Madrid end the league campaign on a positive note. Not to mention, the club lack the services of a reliable alternative, which has led to links with Reece James this coming summer.
Ceballos, on the other hand, has been one of the emerging stars this year. The midfielder’s performances have been excellent lately, and he would not want to lose any momentum by picking up a suspension ahead of the important Villarreal game next week.
