Tuesday night will be a special occasion for Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti as he comes face-to-face with his former club AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
The clash at the Santiago Bernabeu will see the two most successful European clubs square off in a competitive setting for the first time in over a decade.
Ancelotti, heading into the game, admitted that preparations have been difficult in light of the tragic events that have unfolded in the Valencian community because of the flash floods.
One doubt for the starting lineup
But as the old adage goes, ‘The show must go on’ and Ancelotti, for his part, has made use of the extended break that Real Madrid have had to work on the flaws that the team has been struggling with of late.
Now, AS reports that ahead of tomorrow’s match at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Real Madrid manager has almost his entire starting lineup figured out as well, with only one decision pending.
As per the report, Ancelotti will go into the game with a four-man midfield setup again as Rodrygo has only just returned from an injury.
Of the four midfield slots – Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde are certain to start, with Ancelotti now mulling over whom to leave out among the trio of Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and captain Luka Modric.
Tchouameni has seen some criticism come his way in light of some of his recent displays including the latest one against Barcelona. So much so that there has been talk of a potential sale next summer.
Camavinga, meanwhile, has support from the club hierarchy but the coaching staff has some reservations. Having come back from an injury not very long ago, he has been eased back into action and could be ready for greater responsibility.
Finally, there is Modric who can provide the creative edge that has been lacking in midfield for Real Madrid this term.
So, it will be interesting to see which way Ancelotti goes and whom he leaves out of the starting XI tomorrow night.