Yahoo Sports Asencio, Ceballos start in a 4-3-3 – How Real Madrid can line up against Athletic Club
Real Madrid will be aiming to extend their winning run in La Liga when they lock horns with Athletic Club away at San Mames on Wednesday night.
Despite the disappointing form in the UEFA Champions League, where they have lost three games, Los Blancos have managed to pull off favourable results in La Liga.
The reigning Spanish champions head into the game on the back of a solid 2-0 win over Getafe, which has brought them to within just one point of league leaders Barcelona.
Carlo Ancelotti goes into the game against the Basque club boosted by the return of Aurelien Tchouameni who has recovered from his ankle injury.
Jude Bellingham is also fit and available for selection after dealing with a fitness scare during the win against Getafe. David Alaba, Vinicius Jr., Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are out injured.
As Real Madrid get set to take on an in-form Athletic Club, here’s how Ancelotti could set his team up at San Mames.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois is a pivotal player for Real Madrid and is a certain starter between the sticks tomorrow in the Basque country.
Despite Aurelien Tchouameni’s return and availability, Ancelotti is expected to trust breakthrough starlet Raul Asencio once again after the youngster’s rock-solid displays over the past couple of weeks.
The 21-year-old will pair up with Antonio Rudiger at the heart of the Merengues’ defence while Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia are likely to continue as the full-backs, with the latter set to start ahead of Ferland Mendy again.
Midfield
With Tchouameni back, Ancelotti has an out-and-out defensive midfielder at his disposal. However, rushing him back into the starting XI might be a risky proposition, especially with more important games on the horizon.
As such, the Real Madrid midfield unit could once again comprise of Dani Ceballos operating in the deeper role after impressing in back-to-back starts against Leganes and Getafe.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde will be tasked with being the workhorse in the centre of the park, providing assistance in both attacking and defensive facets.
Jude Bellingham, who appears to have found his goalscoring form back again, ought to be the third midfielder on the field for Real Madrid, meaning Luka Modric is left out once again along with teenage sensation Arda Guler.
Attack
With no Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe is set to continue playing from the left-hand side and he will hope to build on his goalscoring performance against Getafe by leading Real Madrid to another victory.
Meanwhile, Rodrygo Goes ought to line up as the centre-forward for the Merengues against Athletic Club, with Endrick seemingly not favoured a great deal by manager Ancelotti.
Brahim Diaz is likely to get the nod on the right flank yet again and he will have an important role to play with his creativity in the final third.
Youngster Gonzalo Garcia, who has been in good form for Real Madrid Castilla, will also be an option for Ancelotti in the final third.
