Real Madrid already has its line-up to face Manchester City tonight. As Ancelotti has announced, Real Madrid will return to normalcy in search of the Champions League round of 16.
Antonio Rüdiger will return to the center-back position, alongside Asencio, and Aurélien Tchouaméni will return to the defensive pivot. With Valverde on the right-back, as a reminder of the emergency situation Real Madrid is experiencing.
Carlo Ancelotti lines up Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Asencio, Mendy; Ceballos, Tchouaméni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinícius; Mbappé.
Ancelotti's Gala line-up
A gala line-up missing the starting right-back (Carvajal), which would place Valverde in the midfield.
Real Madrid comes out with three forwards and with Bellingham more focused on his role as a false center forward, as a link, than as a midfielder.
Ancelotti opts for Mendy instead of Fran García, showing his desire to strengthen the defense rather than enhance the attack.
Ancelotti's line-up undergoes four changes compared to the team that played against Osasuna. Tchouaméni will leave the center-back position to act as a pivot and will play with Ceballos in the double pivot.
Mendy reappears on the left side of the defense. And Rodrygo returns to the starting line-up to complete the golden trident alongside Bellingham as a false center forward.
Special Attention to Savinho
Manchester City has lost nine of its 27 matches in the Champions League against Spanish teams. Its nine defeats against Spanish teams account for 28% of its total losses in the competition (9/32).
Real Madrid's goal is to capitalize on the 2-3 lead achieved in the first leg at Etihad Stadium. However, Ancelotti's team will not go out to defend and will seek victory at Bernabéu, although without neglecting its defensive precautions.
For Ancelotti, it is vital to mark Manchester City's great Brazilian star, Savinho. The coach has made it very clear to Rüdiger, who is in charge of marking him:
"When Savinho approaches, don't let him receive, you have to anticipate. The less he shoots on goal, the better". These are the latest instructions Ancelotti has given to the German center-back.