Endrick, Guler start in a 4-3-3: How Real Madrid could line up against AC Milan

Real Madrid play their first pre-season friendly of the US tour at the Soldier Field in Chicago, USA tonight (local time).

It will be the first big test of the preparatory period for the reigning Spanish and European champions as they aim to get into the groove before beginning the defence of their titles in a couple of weeks.

Real Madrid go into the game without a whole host of first-team players who have been granted an extended break after their international commitments through the summer.

Indeed, the likes of Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo Goes, Eder Militao, Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga are all unavailable at this point.

As such, manager Carlo Ancelotti will be expected to thrust some new faces into the spotlight when Los Blancos lock horns with the Rossoneri in Chicago. Here’s how Real Madrid could take the field against Milan.

Defence

Thibaut Courtois has been present for the full pre-season having not been part of Belgium’s UEFA Euro 2024 campaign and as such will be ready to go from the first game itself, starting in goal for Real Madrid.

The defence is where a lot of issues crop up for Los Blancos, especially in the centre-half department as David Alaba is still injured, Eder Militao is still not back, and Nacho Fernandez has left.

Furthermore, with Jesus Vallejo battling with fitness problems, it could pave the way for teenage prospect Joan Martinez to get a look-in alongside Antonio Rudiger, while others like Jacobo Ramon and Raul Asencio could also get minutes at a later stage in the game.

Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia ought to occupy the full-back positions on the right and left sides, respectively.

Midfield

Real Madrid are blessed with riches of talent in the midfield department and as such, it will be very interesting to see how Ancelotti goes about handling his resources over the course of the campaign.

For tomorrow, though, one can expect young Mario Martin to get a game as the defensive midfielder, with the 20-year-old hoping to earn a full-time spot with the senior team.

Meanwhile, Dani Ceballos who appears set to stay despite speculations over his future, should get a start while new first captain Luka Modric is also likely to start.

Youngsters like Nico Paz and Cesar Palacios will hope to have some minutes in the second half of the game.

Attack

As has already been reported, Ancelotti is set to try a novel, dynamic attacking unit against AC Milan in the absence of his frontline starters.

Thus, fans will get to see new signing Endrick start as the centre-forward tonight, flanked by Turkish sensation Arda Guler, who has been impressing in training, and Brahim Diaz.

Jeremy de Leon, who has been in and around the first-team setup since the latter stages of the last season, could receive some minutes while forwards like Juanmi Latasa and Alvaro Rodriguez could also see some action.