Rodrygo Goes and Fran Garcia will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid will look to continue the winning start to the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League season when they lock horns with Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Tuesday night. And Carlo Ancelotti does not have a new issue hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Arda Guler are the only absentees for Real Madrid. Otherwise, Ancelotti has taken a strong travelling squad to Italy for the latest Champions League clash.
Ancelotti did not discuss any team news during his pre-match press conference. But rotation in the midfield unit was one of the topics of discussion. The Italian tactician also shed some light on Luka Modric’s state of mind after losing his spot as a regular thus far this term.
He said, “That’s nothing new. I don’t know how to explain it, it’s simply a technical matter. It may well change tomorrow or in the coming games. One day it’s Modrić and another it might be Kroos, Tchouameni or Camavinga.”
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“This kind of question comes up in every press conference. There’s not too much to explain. We have seven guys and only four can play. When I put five in, I get slated, so it’s best to play with four.”
“It is a bit of a surprise for Modrić not to have the role he has played in the past. He played the opening Champions League game, and the derby as well. In the last two he has not played because the competition is very tough and sometimes someone might be left on the bench.”
“We have no problem with him whatsoever and he doesn’t have any problems with us at all. I have great respect for him as a player and as a person, but sometimes I have to make really tough decisions.”
Modric will find himself on the bench again, with Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga taking their spots in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham will have a free role at the tip of the midfield diamond. Rodrygo Goes should return in the final third, lining up alongside Vinicius Junior.
As for the defensive unit, Nacho will serve a suspension at the weekend in La Liga action. But that ban does not extend to European games, meaning he will be Antonio Rudiger’s central defensive partner. Fran Garcia and Dani Carvajal should be the two full-backs, with Kepa Arrizabalaga taking his spot between the sticks.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, F Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius
