Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham will start for Real Madrid against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Riyadh on Sunday.
Real Madrid will aim to win the Supercopa de Espana for the second successive years when they lock horns with Barcelona at King Abdullah Sports City on Sunday evening. And Carlo Ancelotti does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The Italian tactician had concerns about the fitness of Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Jude Bellingham. However, the trio is fit and available to take on Barcelona. But Luka Modric remains doubtful due to his bout of illness.
Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain on the sidelines, while David Alaba is not ready to return yet. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti provided a fitness update on Bellingham.
The Real Madrid manager said, “He’s recovered well, he finished the game with a bit of a strain. He’s having a great run and feels good. He’s a player who’s made the difference for us in recent games.”
Ancelotti discussed the importance of team camps, saying, “We spend a lot of time together over the course of the year but I give the players a lot of freedom. I don’t like to overwhelm them with videos and that kind of thing. Our videos never last more than 15 minutes. They have a good time together and there is a great atmosphere around the place. I don’t know what they get up to in their rooms and I don’t want to know.”
With Bellingham fit and available, the English international will reprise the no. 10 role, joining Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Kylian Mbappe in the final third. The latter will lead the line for Real Madrid against Barcelona on Sunday. As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde.
The backline should not see any changes, with Aurelien Tchouameni continuing as the makeshift centre-back. The Frenchman will accompany Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Lucas Vazquez in the defensive quartet. Finally, there is no looking past Thibaut Courtois between the sticks.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe
