Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make several changes to his side when it faces Arsenal … More
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make several changes to his side when it faces Arsenal away in the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday.
The defending and record 15-time European champions travel to London for the first leg off the back of a shock 2-1 defeat to Valencia at the weekend, and will look to steady the ship in the competition they love the most.
At a prematch press conference on Monday, Ancelotti complimented an opponent in England that “does many things well”.
“Arsenal is very complete, [it] executes transitions well, responds in low blocks, presses well… We prepared well, with a clear approach and we are going to try to execute it,” vowed the Italian, who also described the work of his opposite number Mikel Arteta as “fantastic”.
“With him Arsenal is much stronger and they will improve in the future. He has been here for five years to build a top team in Europe. There are not many teams that do everything right. There are those who do some things well, but being complete – few,” Ancelotti further stated.
As for his own team, Ancelotti will make a series of changes to the first XI that came up short against Valencia.
Thibaut Courtois returns between the sticks, while Aurelien Tchouameni is dropped from center back in favor of Raul Asencio.
The youngster is partnered by Antonio Rudiger, who continues as do fullbacks Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia.
The double pivot looks different, though, with Eduardo Camavinga joining Luka Modric.
“The experience of some players is very important in games like this,” Ancelotti said, in reference to figures such as the Croat who has lifted the UCL’s big-eared trophy on no fewer than five occasions.
“They are not afraid to play games like this, because they have played so many. In addition, they help young people and give them confidence.”
Brahim Diaz is moved from the right wing for Rodrygo to come back, and form a more attacking line that places Jude Bellingham as a CAM and Vinicius Jr. on the left.
Up top, it is of course lone number 9 Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid Champions League Quarterfinal First Leg Starting XI Vs Arsenal: Courtois; Fran Garcia, Rudiger, Asencio, Vazquez; Camavinga, Modric; Vinicius, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Mbappe
