Luka Modric and Antonio Rudiger will return when Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in the Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday.
Real Madrid will be desperate to overturn a first-leg deficit and reach the Copa del Rey final when they lock horns with Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday night. And Carlo Ancelotti has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Antonio Rudiger is fit and available after missing the game against Real Valladolid with a knock. The German international has trained this week and is in the travelling squad for the cup fixture. So Ferland Mendy is the only player unavailable for Real Madrid.
During his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti addressed questions surrounding Rudiger’s availability. The Italian tactician also spoke about why he has been rotating Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in recent games.
Ancelotti said, “Rudiger is fine and he trained today. He trained on his own yesterday but he’s ready to play. Each player has their different attributes. Alaba helps us more in terms of bringing the ball out, but to do that well you have to consider the combinations and ensure the players are well positioned. The goalkeeper has the most important role in that sense.”
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“Kroos and Modric are untouchable but that doesn’t mean they will play. Modric was untouchable against Valladolid too, and he was on the bench. I have to consider the resources I have on the bench because they’re hugely important, just as they were last year. Starting the game isn’t the most important thing, the key is that the guys who don’t play from the start can try and make an impact.”
Rudiger should return to the starting lineup, starting as Eder Militao’s central defensive partner. So David Alaba will move to the left-back slot, with Dani Carvajal keeping his place on the right flank. Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti should return to a 4-3-3 formation after shifting a 4-2-3-1 setup this past weekend. That will bring more midfielders into the team, with Federico Valverde and Modric starting. Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni will drop to the bench, with Eduardo Camavinga featuring as the holding midfielder.
As for the offensive unit, Rodrygo Goes will move to the right flank after featuring in the hole in the last game. Vinicius Junior will continue on the left wing, with Karim Benzema spearheading the attack against Barcelona. So Asensio and Eden Hazard will find themselves on the bench on Wednesday.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Valverde, Camavinga, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
