Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Elche

Real Madrid will hope to cut the deficit from Barcelona to eight points at the top of the table as they host Elche at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight. Carlo Ancelotti has made some changes from the starting lineup that took on Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup final.

Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out due to injury, giving way to Andriy Lunin to make another start in the league. He will be guarded by Eder Militao and David Alaba in central defence, with Antonio Rudiger delegated to the bench.

Daniel Carvajal and Nacho have the responsibility to provide width from the back.

Toni Kroos will miss the game due to health problems, while Luka Modric has been rested. As such, Dani Ceballos starts in central midfield alongside Federico Valverde. Eduardo Camavinga gets a start in his natural position in defensive midfield.

Ancelotti has opted to use Marco Asensio as the right-winger, while Rodrygo starts on the left in the absence of the suspended Vinicius Jr. Captain Karim Benzema retains his place as the striker.

📋✅ Our starting XI 🆚 @Elchecf_en! #RealMadridElche pic.twitter.com/FfYmWRd4Dx

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 15, 2023

Confirmed Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Nacho; Valverde, Camavinga, Ceballos; Asensio, Benzema, Rodrygo