Carlo Ancelotti has a dark legend. His detractors claim that he is allergic to Spanish footballers and also to Real Madrid's homegrown players.
The issue goes way back. The Real Madrid of La Decimoquinta only had Dani Carvajal (Spanish and homegrown) in its starting eleven. All the others were foreigners.
It is true that Real Madrid's objectives require the presence of the best. However, the best aren't always from the academy, nor are they always Spanish footballers, even though Spain is currently the European champion.
Ancelotti Erases Asencio from the Map
The truth is that injuries allowed the discovery of a rough diamond: Raúl Asencio. In just a few matches, he showed quality and and ease to play in the first team.
Today Real Madrid has a lot at stake in Bergamo, against Atalanta. Therefore, Ancelotti has played it safe. He preferred to leave Asencio on the bench, despite being a central defender, to improvise in that position with Tchouaméni, who isn't a central defender.
Ancelotti already left Asencio on the bench in Girona. Today he once again dispenses with this young talent who, incidentally, is already 21 years old and is at an age to deserve more, even in matches as demanding as today's.
Florentino Pérez, who wishes to Spanishize Real Madrid, is not pleased with Asencio's disappearance from the starting lineup. What he will never do, however, is publicly question his coach. Whatever he has to say, he will say it to his face.
To compensate for the disappointment of Asencio's disappearance from the starting eleven, Ancelotti offers us the presence of three Spaniards, something that hasn't been common during his Madrid tenure.
Three Spaniards in the Starting Eleven
Against Atalanta, Lucas Vázquez, Fran García, and Ceballos will play: a dream team.
This is the lineup Ancelotti is fielding tonight: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Tchouaméni, Rudiger, Fran García; Valverde, Ceballos, Brahim, Bellingham; Vinicius and Mbappé.
Vinícius is back, Rodrygo stays on the bench. With this team, Real Madrid will begin its particular comeback in the standings, where it is currently in 24th position.
They'll play against a rival that boasts leadership in the Italian league after defeating Milan (Real Madrid's nightmare in the Champions League) 2-1. Atalanta has gone 14 consecutive matches without losing.