Aurelien Tchouameni will return, and Eduardo Camavinga will start as a left-back when Real Madrid and Barcelona clash on Sunday.
Real Madrid will look to close the gap to Barcelona when the two teams go head-to-head at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday evening. And Carlo Ancelotti has a near full-strength squad at his disposal ahead of the fourth El Clasico this season.
David Alaba is the only absentee as he continues to recover from his fitness issues this season. Ancelotti has an otherwise fully-fit travelling squad for the trip to Camp Nou this weekend.
Ancelotti did not discuss any team news updates during his pre-match press conference. But he discussed the form and availability of a few players, including Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema, and Eduardo Camavinga.
On Modric, Kroos, and Benzema, he said, “They’re [Modric and Kroos] still the best and I’m surprised when I hear people doubting them. He’s [Benzema] fine and he’ll be playing.”
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On Camavinga, Ancelotti said, “He’s doing a fantastic job. He’s in great form, just like Tchouameni was early on in the season. They have both stepped up really well to replace a legend and a guy who has been the best in the world in that position for a number of years. They are the future.”
Camavinga started at the base of the midfield unit against Liverpool earlier this week. But the Frenchman will start as a left-back against Barcelona, with a well-rested Aurelien Tchouameni returning to the starting lineup. Tchouameni will join Modric and Kroos in the middle of the park.
As for the defensive unit, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, and Eder Militao will retain their spots. So Nacho will drop to the bench, with Ferland Mendy missing out again. Meanwhile, there is no looking past Thibaut Courtois between the sticks.
Finally, Federico Valverde will start on the right flank again this weekend, considering Ancelotti’s choices in the biggest games. The Uruguayan international will join Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior in the final third. So Rodrygo Goes, Marco Asensio, and Eden Hazard will be among the backup options on the bench.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Camavinga; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
