Carlo Ancelotti should make wholesale changes to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
Real Madrid will aim to take a step closer to reaching the UEFA Champions League final when they lock horns with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the semi-final first leg on Tuesday night. And Carlo Ancelotti has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Dani Carvajal serves a suspension after picking up a booking in the second leg of the quarter-final against Manchester City. The Spanish international has joined Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba on the sidelines. However, Ancelotti has named the trio in the travelling squad despite their unavailability.
Meanwhile, there is some good news, with Rodrygo fit and available after missing the game against Real Sociedad this past weekend. However, Ancelotti did not speak about any player during his pre-match press conference, with the media asking him about his potential tactical changes.
The Real Madrid manager said, “No tactical changes. Every team has their own characteristics and we have to assess them well without losing our identity. We will need all the attributes we’ve shown this season tomorrow. We’ll have to defend strongly, avoid the counter-attack and go forward well. You can’t be lacking in any department in a semi-final, it must be a complete performance.”
Carvajal’s absence means Lucas Vazquez will make a rare start in the UEFA Champions League. The veteran Spanish utility man will join Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rudiger, and Ferland Mendy in the backline, with Andriy Lunin taking his usual spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde. So, Luka Modric will drop to the bench despite his exceptional performances thus far this season for Real Madrid. Jude Bellingham will reprise his usual role behind the two strikers. Finally, Vinicius Junior and the returning Rodrygo will be the two central attackers for the away side.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
