After a slow start to their season, Real Madrid have picked up momentum with four successive wins across competitions. They have a key midweek contest when Carlo Ancelotti’s ‘galácticos‘ will lock horns with Mallorca in Jeddah for the Supercopa de Espana semifinal. Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao will clash heads in the other fixture and fans across the globe could eventually witness another ‘El Classico’ similar to last year’s final.
While the Blancos clinched an emphatic 4-1 victory in Riyadh a year ago, they must overcome the Mallorca test first having settled for a 1-1 draw earlier this season. Despite a shocking Copa Del Rey defeat against lower league side Pontevedra, the Vermilions are still in contention for a place in Europe. Their unpredictability could stun the Spanish heavyweights on Thursday night.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Real Madrid Lineup To Face Mallorca
Defence
Thibaut Courtois did not travel for their Copa Del Rey fixture against minnows Deportiva Minera but is expected to return to the starting XI and claim the ‘number 1’ status replacing Andriy Lunin.
While Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are ruled out with season-ending ACL ruptures, a muscle strain would keep Jesus Vallejo sidelined for the forthcoming weeks. David Alaba is back in team training, however, the versatile Austrian might not be ready yet for an immediate start following his long injury layoff. Lucas Vazquez is likely to feature as the makeshift right fullback. Also, midfield ace Aurelien Tchouameni could deputize in deep defence alongside Antonio Rudiger. The German international remains the only senior centre-back available for selection. Although struggling to deliver week in and week out, Ferland Mendy should operate from the left ahead of Fran Garcia considering his experience of the highest order.
Midfield
Ancelotti seems to have figured out the correct formation incorporating Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe. The iconic Italian boss has switched the midfield set-up to a double pivot where Federico Valverde has excelled stupendously irrespective of his flexibility all over the pitch. Veteran Luka Modric is still going strong at 39 and the Croat ‘GOAT’ must get the nod over Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the park.
The ‘number 10′ role suits Jude Bellingham’s style of play who missed a spot-kick but set it up for Modric late in the game and then scored the winner in stoppage time to secure an incredible comeback against Valencia despite being a goal and a man down. Vinicius’ marching order won’t be applicable in the Cup, and the Brazilian, therefore, is tipped to keep his place on the left-hand flank. Rodrygo, his fellow countryman, must slot in down the right even though Arda Guler netted a brace against Minera earlier this week.
Attack
Mbappe has finally hit the ground running as an outright ‘number 9’ and the flamboyant Frenchman should return to the lineup having been rested from the start on Monday night. Endrick could be introduced from the bench as a second-half substitute.
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