MU Shorts
Rodrygo, Modric start in a 4-3-3: How Real Madrid could line up against Girona
Real Madrid will be aiming to register their fifth victory in a row when they lock horns with Girona FC at Estadi Montilivi tonight in La Liga.
After four back-to-back 2-0 wins over Chelsea (x2), Cadiz, and Celta Vigo, Real Madrid are building some crucial momentum ahead of vital fixtures in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.
And the aim will be continue doing so with another win tonight against Girona, although Barcelona’s win against Atletico Madrid on Sunday has all but ended the hopes of a late fightback in the La Liga title race.
Furthermore, heading into tonight’s match against the Catalan outfit, Carlo Ancelotti has to deal with several absences as Karim Benzema, Dani Ceballos (suspension), Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, and Eden Hazard are all out while Eduardo Camavinga is also carrying a knock.
Here we take a look at how the Italian tactician could set his team up tonight at Estadi Montilivi as he plots to pick up another victory.
Starters
Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged in his pre-match press conference that he might consider rotating his goalkeepers at some point this season in the league.
And with the club confirming just a while ago that Thibaut Courtois is out of the game due to gastroenteritis, Andriy Lunin is set to start against Girona.
With David Alaba unavailable, the centre-back pairing of Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger is also likely to remain intact. Nacho Fernandez, who started at right-back against Celta Vigo, will move to left-back in the absence of Ferland Mendy, Alaba, and Eduardo Camavinga.
Dani Carvajal should return to the lineup ahead of Lucas Vazquez in the right-back slot.
Moving into the middle of the park, Camavinga’s knock and Dani Ceballos’ suspension due to accumulation of cards means Ancelotti will have to rely on veteran duo Toni Kroos and Luka Modric after the pair was benched against Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni should get another start in the holding midfield role. Federico Valverde, who has been a permanent fixture in the starting XIs, could be given some rest by the manager.
Rodrygo Goes did not train yesterday due to a stomach bug, but Ancelotti has confirmed that he will be ready for tonight’s game. Given that Karim Benzema is unavailable, the Brazilian is likely to slot in as the No. 9 for Real Madrid against Girona.
Flanking the youngster will be compatriot Vinicius Jr on the left side and in-form forward Marco Asensio on the right. They will be key for Real Madrid in their bid to unlock the Girona defence, who secured a clean sheet against Barcelona recently.
Vinicius · Rodrygo · Asensio
Kroos · Tchouameni · Modric
Nacho · Rudiger · Militao · Carvajal
Lunin
Substitutes
Federico Valverde is bound to come on at some point in the game, possibly to provide some relief to the veteran midfielders and add more energy on the field.
If things are comfortable for the Merengues, Carlo Ancelotti could also throw in youngsters Mario Martin and Sergio Arribas, both of whom have tasted first-team football this season.
Lucas Vazquez will also be an option for Ancelotti either at right-back or in an advanced role, depending on the needs. Jesus Vallejo could also come in to relieve one of Eder Militao or Antonio Rudiger.
Real Madrid have started the new season with plenty of goals, but Barcelona’s numbers underline just how demanding the title race could become.
Jose Mourinho’s leading attackers have combined effectively through six matches, yet Barça are currently operating at a completely different level under Hansi Flick.
Madrid’s four main attacking superstars have produced 22 direct goal contributions between them.
Kylian Mbappe has seven goals and one assist, Vinicius Junior has one goal and four assists, Jude Bellingham has three goals and two assists, while Arda Guler has one goal and three assists. Together, that is 12 goals and 10 assists.
Barcelona have taken attacking production even further
Barça’s five attackers, in comparison, have combined for 26 goal contributions.
Raphinha leads the way with eight goals and three assists, Lamine Yamal has seven goals and two assists, Fermin Lopez has four goals and two assists, Anthony Gordon has supplied four assists and Karim Adeyemi has three goals and one assist.
The numbers check out: Barcelona’s group stands at 22 goals and 26 total goal contributions, while Madrid’s four have 12 goals and 22 contributions.
That comparison needs context. Barcelona have five players included against Madrid’s four, and assists can overlap with goals when looking at team output.
Still, the distribution tells an interesting story.
Madrid remain heavily dependent on Mbappe’s goals
🚨✨ Real Madrid's attackers so far this season:
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) September 14, 2026
• Kylian Mbappé: 7 goals and 1 assist
• Vinicius: 1 goal and 4 assists
• Jude Bellingham: 3 goals and 2 assists
• Arda Guler: 1 goal and 3 assists
17 goals in 6 matches. pic.twitter.com/OWdKMTYxbc
Madrid’s numbers are good. Mbappe’s are spectacular.
Seven goals through six matches is exactly what Madrid want from their main scorer, while Bellingham’s three goals make for good reading too.
Vinicius’ numbers are fascinating for a different reason. Only one goal is below what supporters would expect, but four assists show he is still creating decisive moments.
Guler’s four contributions are another encouraging sign considering the competition he faces for minutes and show why he deserves to start ahead of Yan Diomande.
The concern is that Madrid’s scoring burden remains considerably more concentrated around Mbappe.
Barcelona currently have Raphinha, Lamine, Fermin and Adeyemi all scoring regularly. Gordon has not scored but has been an assist machine thus far.
That gives Barça multiple ways to hurt opponents and more cushion to handle off-days for attackers.
Mourinho needs Vinicius to start scoring
Mbappe cannot realistically maintain responsibility for such a large percentage of the goals across an entire season.
26 G/A THROUGH SIX GAMES 😦
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 13, 2026
🔴 Raphinha – 8 goals and 3 assists
🔵 Lamine Yamal – 7 goals and 2 assists
🔴 Fermín López – 4 goals and 2 assists
🔵 Anthony Gordon – 4 assists
🔴 Karim Adeyemi – 3 goals and 1 assist
Barcelona's attack is nearly unstoppable to start the season🔥 pic.twitter.com/YCRrqDi23s
Bellingham will contribute, Guler can create and Diomande should eventually add another dimension, but Madrid’s ceiling changes dramatically if Vinicius starts scoring consistently alongside Mbappe.
That remains one of Mourinho’s biggest attacking challenges. Los Blancos do not necessarily need to match Barcelona player for player.
They need their own attacking structure to become less predictable. If opponents successfully limit Mbappe, somebody else must punish them.
The Clasico possibilities are ridiculous
Spanish football currently has two attacks filled with players capable of deciding matches individually.
Mbappe and Vinicius against Lamine and Raphinha is already box-office material before Bellingham, Guler, Fermin, Adeyemi and the rest are considered.
Barcelona have won the opening statistical battle. Their attacking production is always likely to be on the higher side too, considering the style of football they play.
However, six matches settle nothing. The encouraging part is that their attack is already producing strongly without every major player reaching top gear.
If Mourinho can get Mbappe and Vinicius firing simultaneously while keeping Bellingham and Guler involved, it would put them in good stead to go toe-to-toe with Barça in the coming months.
