Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make at least five changes to his side when its faces Rayo Vallecano in La Liga at the Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.
At his prematch press conference on Saturday, Ancelotti noted that Rayo is “doing very well”.
“It’s well organized, intense, it’s going to demand from us. We must continue in the fight. Scoring points is vital. We’re fine. We’ve had time to recover well since Tuesday, hopefully a good game will come out,” the Italian added.
After a 2-1 last 16 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League earlier in the week, with the return leg set to be played on Wednesday, Ancelotti has relished some time off.
“We’re ready to fight every game, taking into account the wear and tear that there is,” he vowed.
“I’m calmer for tomorrow, we’ve had five days off. For Betis [a 2-1 loss]
we had much less, on a physical and mental level it is more difficult. You have to take that into account. We’re very close. The situation is not ideal, but we’re very close to a cup final, the league lead, the Champions League quarter-finals... It’s not ideal, that would be to be leaders in the league, but we’re very close and ready to fight,” Ancelotti further noted.
Because of leader FC Barcelona having to postpone its game against Osasuna less than 20 minutes before kick off on Saturday because of the death of its first team doctor, Madrid can draw level with a win in obviously less than ideal and unfortunate circumstances.
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Thibaut Courtois will start in goal, with Lucas Vazquez taking the right back spot from midfielder Fede Valverde who Ancelotti insists is “fine” and “available” amid reports to the contrary.
“He can play, I know where he likes to play the least, as a right winger. He likes to be a pivot or interior and a full-back as well. In the future he will be one of the best, or he already is. He is the best midfielder in the world, the best full-back... But his future is going to be in the middle of the field,” Ancelotti remarked about the Uruguayan.
David Alaba makes a rare start to partner Raul Asencio at Toni Rudiger’s expense in central defense, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Luka Modric form a double pivot.
Returning from suspension, Jude Bellingham is the CAM flanked by wingers Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo while a Kylian Mbappe criticized midweek trudges on as a lone number 9.
Real Madrid Starting XI Vs Rayo Vallecano: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Alaba, Fran García; Tchouameni, Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.