MU Shorts
Tchouameni, Camavinga start in a 4-3-3: How Real Madrid could line up against Mallorca
Real Madrid will be hoping to cut down the gap to league leaders Barcelona to two points when they face RCD Mallorca at Son Moix on Sunday afternoon.
Los Blancos enjoy a superior record against Javier Aguirre’s side, but have had missteps of late. Meanwhile, Mallorca have won three of their last four matches at home and will pose a stern test to Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Things will be made even more complicated for the reigning Spanish champions as they will have to make do without club captain and ace goalscorer Karim Benzema. Eder Militao, who had been in top form recently, is also out with an injury, as are Ferland Mendy and Eden Hazard.
It will be an important match for the Merengues if they wish to keep up the pressure on their rivals Barcelona. Ahead of this encounter, Madrid Universal takes a look at how Ancelotti might set his team up on Sunday afternoon.
Starters
There is just no looking past Thibaut Courtois in goal for Real Madrid. The Belgian has been a consistent and key performer for the champions and will again be crucial if they are to return with three points from Mallorca.
Dani Carvajal made his return from injury in the midweek win against Valencia, coming on from the bench. While David Alaba is back and available, Ancelotti could avoid risking him against Mallorca so that he is fit for the FIFA Club World Cup next week.
As such Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez should form the centre-back pairing for Los Blancos, whereas Eduardo Camavinga should continue in the makeshift left-back role that he has essayed in the past couple of matches.
Moving into the middle of the park, Ancelotti will likely look to reintroduce Aurelien Tchouameni into the starting XI after the midfielder made his return from injury against Valencia.
The 23-year-old Frenchman will slot in as the No. 6 while in-form star Dani Ceballos and Luka Modric could occupy the remaining two spots in midfield. Toni Kroos, who picked up a knock in the previous match, will likely be protected for the Club World Cup.
Benzema’s absence means Rodrygo Goes becomes the obvious choice to line up as the No. 9 against Mallorca. Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr and Marco Asensio, who were the goalscorers for Real Madrid against Valencia, should continue occupying the flanks.
Vinicius · Rodrygo · Asensio
Ceballos · Tchouameni · Modric
Camavinga · Nacho · Rudiger · Carvajal
Courtois
Substitutes
Federico Valverde will be an option from the bench for Ancelotti to tweak the attack, given that there are no other natural forwards in the squad for tomorrow’s game, apart from the out-of-favour Mariano Diaz.
David Alaba will likely receive some minutes off the bench so that he gets some action under his belt heading into the FIFA Club World Cup. The same should hold for Toni Kroos, who has recovered from the knock he sustained against Valencia.
Jesus Vallejo or Alvaro Odriozola might get a few minutes in case Real Madrid are in the lead and Ancelotti is looking to shut up shop.
Real Madrid are back in action in La Liga tonight as they take on Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu as part of Matchday 5.
Having won their first three league games of the 2026/27 season under new manager Jose Mourinho, Los Blancos fell to their first defeat last weekend, losing 1-0 away to Real Betis.
It has allowed arch-rivals FC Barcelona pull away and open up a three-point lead at the top of the table.
While these are still early days in the campaign, Real Madrid know they cannot afford any more slip-ups, especially considering the red-hot form the Blaugrana are in.
Mourinho’s men did bounce back to winning ways after last week’s defeat, beating Inter Milan 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, although the performance was not entirely convincing.
As they take the field once more tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid will hope to deliver a strong performance and gather all three points and keep up the pace with the league leaders.
Mourinho has been boosted by the return of five players in Arda Guler, Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Raul Asencio, and Andriy Lunin, who missed the midweek European encounter.
Here’s how the Portuguese tactician is likely to set his team up tonight against Rayo Vallecano.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois was the star of the show for Real Madrid against Inter Milan, making some splendid saves. He will once again hold the key for the hosts as they look for only their second clean sheet of the season.
In defence, changes are unlikely, with Mourinho clearly establishing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen as his preferred partnership at centre-back, meaning Antonio Rudiger is set to miss out again.
Denzel Dumfries and Marc Cucurella, both of whom have made solid starts to life at the Bernabeu, ought to continue in the full-back positions.
Midfield
Given the absences of some key players, Mourinho was forced to play Trent Alexander-Arnold in the double pivot against Inter Milan – an experiment that was far from convincing.
Now, with the Real Madrid manager recovering his options in midfield, it is expected that summer signing Bernardo Silva starts alongside captain Federico Valverde in the centre of the park.
Eduardo Camavinga, who is also back after serving a suspension, will be an option from the bench, along with Aurelien Tchouameni, who is being eased back slowly after his return from injury.
Jude Bellingham has been one of Real Madrid’s best players in the early parts of the season and will continue in his preferred attacking midfield position against Rayo Vallecano tonight.
Attack
Brahim Diaz got the nod against Inter Milan and gave a good account of himself. However, with Arda Guler back and available after missing the midweek game, the Turkish international should reclaim his spot on the right flank.
On the left wing, Vinicius Jr. will retain his place, but will need to step up and deliver amid growing pressure and frustration within the fans, who booed him at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Finally, Kylian Mbappe, who has been in the news for his candid interview, will spearhead the Real Madrid attack.
Summer signing Yan Diomande will once again have to make do with minutes off the bench.
