Courtois; Lucas, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, Fran García; Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappé, and Vinícius.
This is Carlo Ancelotti's top-choice line-up considering the injuries of Militão and Carvajal, both regulars in his formations.
This is the team that will face the Mexican Pachuca today with the goal of deciding the Intercontinental Cup. It's his heavy artillery, with the trident as the flagship. A trident that hasn't come together since November 9, against Osasuna, and has only shared the line-up nine times.
In case there were any doubts regarding that ideal eleven of Ancelotti, Tchouaméni is in and Asencio is not. And neither is Luka Modric. Nor Güler, Brahim, or Ceballos.
Ancelotti is All about BMV with Rodrygo as a Companion
Ancelotti is all about BMV and Rodrygo as a companion. Everyone knows it. These are the cards Ancelotti plays with and he's straightforward about it.
Even though the opponent isn't formidable, today is a final. A final is played by those the coach considers the best.
The five who have stayed on the bench already see themselves out of Real Madrid in the future. Güler and Endrick will try to leave on loan in the winter market. Modric, Brahim, and Ceballos will do so this summer.
In that line-up, neither Brahim, Arda Güler, nor Endrick will ever be if God grants health to the Mbappé-Vinícius-Rodrygo trident. Nor will Modric or Ceballos appear.
Nor Asencio, whom Ancelotti has already informed he sees more as a full-back than a center-back. His case is special, however. His initial appearances caused excitement among Madrid fans, but not so much in Ancelotti, who prefers the strength of Tchouaméni.
Asencio Receives Explanations from Ancelotti
The Canary Islands native, however, already knows Ancelotti's plans for him. He knows that he's going to have many minutes playing as a right-back this season. When Carvajal returns and the new transfers arrive, we'll see.
Still, Asencio has his coach's commitment that he will play many minutes as a full-back for the rest of the season.
It will depend on him whether the opportunities this season continue into the next. If he earns the spot, it will be hard to take it away from him. It wouldn't matter if he's competing with someone as important as captain Carvajal.
Ancelotti's plans include giving Asencio minutes in the second half if the result is settled.