Real Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano Line Up: Ancelotti makes big changes

On By Littum

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will have to make changes to his attack when part of a team to face Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Saturday.

Kylian Mbappe was just beginning to find his feet with stunning strikes against Girona and Atalanta in his last two games.

However, just 35 minutes into the latter’s midweek Champions League game, the Frenchman asked to be released and was then confirmed with a thigh injury which will keep him out of Vallecas and possibly the Intercontinental Cup final on 18 December.

“Mbappe is nothing particularly serious,” Ancelotti insisted in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

“He will not be there for the match (tomorrow), (but) he will travel to Qatar and see if he can play part of the (Intercontinental Cup) without risk.”

There has been a lot of negativity surrounding last season’s treble winners this term. But thanks to FC Barcelona holding a six-point lead at the top of the table, Madrid can once again rise to the top of the pack with a single point through a win at Rayo’s expense.

Because of this, Ancelotti said he is “more optimistic” than he was before, and he also relished a game in hand over Valencia on January 3, which comes at a “difficult time”.

“Everyone’s commitment and attitude, the individual quality… It was a complete game (against Atalanta) and it gives us optimism for the future, for the next games starting tomorrow. On Wednesday we have a very important game, ​​but first we have to play a good game tomorrow,” demanded Ancelotti.

As I said, Mbappe’s injury means that Ancelotti has to make few changes in attack. With the Brazilians back in full form, he will line up with Vinicius Jr. on the left and Rodrygo in Mbappe’s central forward position, while the front line is completed by Brahim Diaz.

In midfield, it’s a trio of Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, whose return to the center of the park results in breakthrough star Raul Asencio making a comeback in defence.

The academy product teams up with Toni Rudiger and the centre-back pairing is flanked by Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia on the right and left in an attempt to protect Thibaut Courtois’ goal.

Real Madrid Starting XI vs. Rayo Vallecano: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Fran; Tchouameni, Valverde, Bellingham; Brahim, Rodrygo, Vinicius