Kepa Arrizabalaga will make his debut for Real Madrid when they take on Celta Vigo at Balaidos on Friday.
Real Madrid will look to continue the perfect start to the 2023/24 season when they lock horns with Celta Vigo at Balaidos on Friday night. And Carlo Ancelotti does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Arda Guler, and Dani Ceballos remain on the sidelines. Apart from the quintet, Ancelotti has everyone else available to feature in the travelling squad ahead of the game against Celta Vigo.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Kepa Arrizabalaga would start against Celta Vigo. He said, “Kepa is going to play in goal.” The Spanish international will replace Andriy Lunin, who started the first two league games of the new season.
The visiting side will line up in a 4-4-2 formation in front of Kepa, with the midfield taking up a diamond formation. As for the defensive unit, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Fran Garcia are automatic picks to form the backline. Meanwhile, Luka Modric has not featured much thus far this season. And Ancelotti spoke about the veteran Croat during his presser.
Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Ancelotti said, “Luka has chosen what he wants to do. It’s unusual for him not to start, as he usually does. He’s not happy, but he’s fine physically. He can play and he will contribute. For everyone this is a peculiar situation for him not to play from the first minute, but he’s going to play like he did in the past seasons.”
Modric will make his first start of the 2023/24 season, replacing Federico Valverde in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, Eduardo Camavinga should come into the team in place of Toni Kroos, joining Aurelien Tchouameni and Modric in the centre of the pitch. And Jude Bellingham will reprise the no. 10 role again, featuring behind the two strikers.
Speaking of the strikers, Ancelotti discussed the change in Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior’s roles. He said, “Rodrygo has no problem adapting because he was used to playing as a centre-forward.Vinicius is adapting really well too. He’s had plenty of chances and he’s scored a goal. I’m not forcing him to play on the inside, he has the quality and the intelligence to know where to position himself in attack.”
“On the inside it’s easier for him to have opportunities, because it means you can score with one touch. He has to improve his movement in the centre of the box. He’s going to learn and he’s going to be more effective.”
Rodrygo and Vinicius will be the two strikers again, with Joselu being a backup option on the bench for the visiting team. And the Spanish international will accompany Brahim Diaz, Valverde, Kroos, and Nico Paz in the reserves.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Fran Garcia; Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.