Ancelotti plans to field unprecedented Real Madrid line-up against Cadiz

Real Madrid have two more LaLiga games before the Champions League final against Liverpool in Paris and Carlo Ancelotti wants to keep his players sharp at the same time as dishing out rest. His policy at the moment is to rotate different groups of players in each of the remaining games, which is why Thibaut Courtois, Vinicius and Karim Benzema have all been left out of the squad for this Sunday’s trip to Cadiz. The suspended Luka Modric and injured David Alaba will miss out too.

Trending

Premier League top scorers 2023/24: Rivals edge closer to Palmer and Haaland

Which football managers have been sacked this season?

Man Utd top scorers 2023/24: Latest standings after dramatic FA Cup win

This means that there will be an unprecedented Real Madrid line-up at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla, starting with Andriy Lunin, who’ll play for the second weekend in a row after also starting the Madrid Derby last Sunday, his first LaLiga appearance in 1,086 days.

The predicted Real Madrid line-up against Cadiz, therefore, is: Andriy Lunin; Lucas Vazquez, Jesus Vallejo, Eder Militao, Nacho; Fede Valverde, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Marco Asensio, Mariano, Rodrygo.

There is a chance that Eduardo Camavinga or Dani Ceballos could make it into the midfield, while Dani Carvajal is back from an injury and could start ahead of Lucas Vazquez if he is fit enough.

Ancelotti’s rotation policy

With Real Madrid having wrapped up the LaLiga title with weeks to spare, Ancelotti is able to give his starters some rest ahead of the Champions League final in Paris. His policy is to start his top players, like Courtois, Vinicius and Benzema, in the remaining home matches, so that the fans can still enjoy their favourite players, while giving them rest in the away games.

That, though, did spark some criticism as Los Blancos lost at Atletico Madrid last weekend, having put out a starting XI containing just three usual starters. On that, Ancelotti explained: “We know we can’t wrap the players in cotton wool because if you lose your competitive edge then that’s a problem for the Champions League final, but we do have to manage fatigue well, which is why I’m rotating the team a little. All season people said ‘the coach never rotates’ and, now that I’m rotating, people still aren’t happy. I think this is a good time to spread minutes among everybody, to arrive in the best shape for the match on May 28th.”