The lineup that Carlo Ancelotti is fielding at San Mamés makes his intentions clear and points to the players who don't enjoy his confidence.
This is the team that Ancelotti presents: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García; Tchouaméni, Ceballos, Valverde, Bellingham; Rodrygo and Mbappé.
Ancelotti's Message to His Men
The game at San Mamés is not an important one: It's much more than a game. That's what Ancelotti has conveyed to his men.
A win in Bilbao means that the gap between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will remain at one point. Then there's also the Valencia match still to be played.
That is to say, Real Madrid needs to win at San Mamés, in a very hostile environment, to continue depending on itself to be champion. This is the idea that Ancelotti has conveyed to his men in the hours leading up to the match.
The Italian coach wants to be in charge of La Liga. To do so, he needs others to depend on Real Madrid and not the other way around.
In the face of such a key and important match for the Italian coach, his decisions leave his roadmap clearly visible.
This is not a game for experiments. The best players have to play. Leaving aside the injured players, those who are in the starting eleven are the best for Ancelotti.
Conclusions from Ancelotti's Lineup
1.- Modric is no longer a starter in big matches. He is saved for the last 20 minutes.
2.- Mendy is no longer Ancelotti's "protégé". In the last few minutes he preferred Fran García, whom he barely used last season.
3.- Brahim is suitable for rotations, but not for starting a match. Ancelotti has preferred to vary the system with Ceballos. He has an offer from Milan and will discuss the matter in the next few days to leave during the winter market.
4.- Arda Güler and Endrick have no place in the starting lineup even if Vinícius is injured. If Brahim wants to leave, the Turk and the Brazilian are looking for a loan, fed up with ostracism.
5.- Ancelotti prefers Asencio as a center-back rather than relying on Tchouaméni's experience in a position that is not his. The Frenchman, however, will start after overcoming his injury.