Home Sport Ancelotti expected to massively shake up Real Madrid starting XI against Sociedad

Ancelotti expected to massively shake up Real Madrid starting XI against Sociedad

Sport — 26/04/2024 · 0 Comment

Dishing out defeats to Manchester City and FC Barcelona in quick succession, Real Madrid trampled over two of their biggest tests of the season.

The Merengues’ success in the recent Clasico has put them in pole position to emerge victorious in La Liga and fully focus on the Champions League semi-finals, where they will take on Bayern Munich.

And due to their dominant 11-point lead over Barcelona, heavy rotations in the starting XI are expected in Real Madrid’s clash against Real Sociedad at the infamous Anoeta stadium.

Ancelotti will make a whopping 9 changes

Indeed, as per Radio MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra) tomorrow, Ancelotti will make nine changes to the starting lineup from the last match against Barça.

With little on the line, the coaching staff sees it best to preserve the key starters and provide fringe players with game time. After all, soon after facing off against La Real, Bayern Munich will host Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena.

The report additionally claims that Luka Modrić, Aurilien Tchouameni, and Kepa Arrizabalaga will be the ones to get the nod from Ancelotti.

Modric will get more minutes in the league now. (Photo by JAIME REINA/AFP via Getty Images)

Modric has been scarcely availed in the starting XI lately, while Kepa’s place in goal has also been overtaken by Andriy Lunin, which explains their possible involvement.

Meanwhile, Tchouameni did not start Real Madrid’s last two games and thus he will be fresh enough to nail a position in the lineup.

All eyes on Arda Guler

Arda Guler would certainly be licking his chops at the opportunity to get some much-needed exposure in the starting XI, having spent a large portion of his season on the bench.

He has not played in any of Real Madrid’s previous five games in any competition, so tomorrow might be his moment to prove the naysayers wrong.

It has been reported that the Turkish sensation is expected to get minutes against Real Sociedad tomorrow, but it remains to be seen if he starts.

Real Madrid have released the squad list that will travel to the Basque country for tomorrow night’s La Liga clash against Real Sociedad.

And, in a major development, star midfielder Jude Bellingham is missing from the list of players that will make the trip to face Imanol Alguacil’s men.

Bellingham did not train with the team today due to gastroenteritis, but Carlo Ancelotti hinted that he could be on the squad list. But, as it turns out, he misses out.

Ferland Mendy is another notable absentee for Real Madrid even though Ancelotti confirmed that the Frenchman has recovered.

Rodrygo, who was not in training today due to flu, is on the squad list.

Thibaut Courtois is also absent, although Ancelotti confirmed that the Belgian could play next week against Cadiz.

There are likely to be some changes to the starting XI on Friday, with players like Arda Guler, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Dani Ceballos in contention to feature.