Carlo Ancelotti Already Has the Starting Eleven with Which Real Madrid Will Face Manchester City in the First Leg of the Champions League Playoff.
Courtois; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Asencio, Mendy; Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius, and Mbappé. These are the eleven chosen by the Italian coach.
The New Developments
Camavinga returns to the starting line-up. He trusts in Valverde's Versatility, who will be the captain, playing as a right-back. Meanwhile, he takes defensive precautions by lining up Mendy on the left side of the defense.
Only one defender from the first team, Mendy, against the heavy artillery led by Haaland. Meanwhile, the three midfielders, Bellingham, Valverde, and Camavinga, are one booking away from suspension for the return leg.
Asencio and Ceballos are the two Spaniards in the starting line-up. Ancelotti has taken six youth players to Manchester who are not part of the professional squad. They are Mestre, Asencio, Jacobo, Lorenzo, Chema, and Gonzalo.
Ancelotti's Rallying Cry to His Men
Brahim Will Come On in the Second Half Against His Former Team. Ancelotti will also drafton Luka Modric after the break, and neither Arda Güler nor Endrick are expected to participate.
Real Madrid loses attacking power with Fede Valverde's position. But Ancelotti compensates for this by seeking in Mendy the defensive solidity that Fran García doesn't provide.
If Real Madrid's Last Visit to the Etihad Was Sealed with a Successful Numantine Defense, today will be more of the same. Hoping that the inspiration of the trident can solve things in front of the opposing goal.
Ancelotti told his players after lunch this afternoon: "We Are Real Madrid. And We're Going to Give Them a Scare if We Play as We Know and with Discipline and Solidarity".
Mendy Could Be the Center-Back in the Return Leg at Bernabéu
The Italian coach has especially worked on the Motivational Aspect. He is aware that his team must remain firm in defense to avoid a setback, although Bernabéu will always be there for the return leg.
Everything will be solved there, in the setting of magical nights, but they must play smart: five players are one booking away from suspension and could miss the return leg at Bernabéu. They are Bellingham, Camavinga, Endrick, Modric, and Tchouaméni.
Be very careful with the latter. If he receives a card in the return leg, Mendy would have to play as a center-back alongside Asencio.