After opening up a five-point lead at the top of La Liga, Real Madrid seem destined to claim their 36th league title this season.
Their 4-0 victory over second-place Girona was emphatic as it gets, even if Jude Bellingham’s ankle injury put a minor dampener on the celebrations. Still, the English sensation should be back in action next month.
Madrid followed up last weekend’s triumph with a less convincing win at RB Leipzig, although their 1-0 victory away from home means they already have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals.
A slumping Rayo Vallecano are Madrid’s next test and here’s how Carlo Ancelotti could set his side up on Sunday.
GK: Andriy Lunin – The Ukrainian was at his best in midweek to ensure Madrid held an advantage going into next month’s second leg with RB Leipzig.
RB: Dani Carvajal – After calmly performing in the centre of defence last weekend, Carvajal returned to his more familiar function in midweek.
CB: Aurelien Tchouameni – Maybe Ancelotti was onto something when he said Tchouameni could become “one of the best centre-backs in the world”. Tchouameni has impressed in defence, with his manager recently saying: “It seems like he has been playing there all his life.”
CB: Nacho Fernandez – Antonio Rudiger is likely to feature by the end of the month, but this game will arrive too soon for the German. Thus, Nacho will remain in the side.
LB: Fran Garcia – Ferland Mendy’s suspension opens the door for Garcia to come back into the team for his 11th La Liga start of the season.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – The versatile Frenchman starred in midweek and Tchouameni’s centre-back transition means Camavinga has a chance to lock down the holding midfield position.
CM: Federico Valverde – The midfielder has racked up a whopping 1,940 La Liga minutes this term – almost 200 more than second-highest Rudiger. A key cog.
CM: Luka Modric – The midfielder has played a peripheral role as of late, but Ancelotti’s rotation could see the 38-year-old make a rare start.
AM: Brahim Diaz – Diaz’s goal on Tuesday night was of the highest quality and Madrid will need the tricky Spaniard to continue producing moments like that in Bellingham’s absence.
ST: Vinicius Junior – The Brazilian has been in majestic form in 2024, notching nine goal contributions in as many games. He should’ve added to his tally in Leipzig, but was denied by the post.
ST: Joselu – The Spaniard scored twice on his previous start and should get the chance to start up top again on Sunday.
