Real Madrid Versus Alaves Line Up: Ancelotti Rests A Huge Star And Makes Five Changes

by · Forbes
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will drop Kylian Mbappe from the starting line up when his ... [+] team takes on Deportivo Alaves at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.AFP via Getty Images

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will drop Kylian Mbappe from the starting line up when his team takes on Deportivo Alaves at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

At a prematch press conference on Monday afternoon in the Spanish capital, the Italian was tight-lipped when asked if he would rest the Frenchman, who has started every match Los Blancos have played since completing a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

He did, however, confirm that there would be rotations, and that Dani Carvajal won't be fit enough to play while the right back should make the Madrid derby at the weekend.

Up top, Ancelotti will give Endrick his first start as a number 9 with the number 16 shirt, in an all-Brazilian attack which sees the 18-year-old flanked by compatriots Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo.

The trio will hope to do better than the last time they all started together in attack for the Selecao.

Earlier this month in Asuncion, they failed to find the back of the net against Paraguay who beat the Selecao 1-0 which once again opened Ballon d'Or favourite Vinicius Jr. up to criticism from his countrymen.

Ancelotti is pleased with Endrick, though, and sees someone who is hard working and motivated.

"For me he is a centre-forward... but sometimes he can play on the wing. He is not a winger, but he can play very well inside and can also take advantage of minutes on the wing," Ancelotti said.

Back to the line up, Ancelotti goes with a midfield trio of Jude Bellingham and captain Luka Modric, who will be supported by makeshift pivot Fede Valverde.

There is no place in the line up for Eder Militao, with natural pivot Aurelien Tchouameni starting on the back line alongside an Antonio Rudiger rested last time against Espanyol.

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With Carvajal out, Lucas Vazquez takes his place while Ferland Mendy is the left back coming in for Fran Garcia as the defense unitedly tries to protect Thibaut Courtois' goal.

Through a win, Madrid has the chance to cut bitter rivals FC Barcelona's lead to just one point ahead of the Catalans hosting Getafe on Wednesday.

Real Madrid Starting XI Vs. Alaves: Courtois; Mendy, Militao, Tchouameni, Vazquez; Valverde, Bellingham, Modric; Vinicius, Endrick, Rodrygo