Here are the most important points for the huge match of Real Madrid against Manchester City.
The best eleven plays for Real Madrid against Manchester City. Although that may sound clear, it is not a fact. The favorable result of the first stage (2-3) and the difficult moment of the city may have drastically seduced some rotation, only small changes. But no. Absolutely not.
Ancelotti, although experienced enough to tackle nerves, does not want any surprises on Wednesday. Not even a small one. To this end, he will put his best options on the table. Although there are still a few decisions left, his selection criterion is simple: whoever is in the best form will play.
The Vini JR, Mbappé, Rodrygo and Bellingham Quartet are responsible for 67% of the goals of the Team-Twee third parties of Madrid's Tally-over eight boots. Together they scored 66 goals this season in all competitions, so that Real Madrid approaches the milestone of 100 goals.
Two goals tomorrow would reach the century span. Ancelotti will rely on his snipers, an attack led by Mbappé with 25 goals this season. The turning point for him came in December. By that time he had only nine goals, characterized by a few peaks (such as a four-game score streak in September) but also extended dry spells. There were doubts and criticism – until December it ended that 'adjustment period'. Since then he has set 16 goals, including a Derby target, one in El Clásico and a recent strike against City.
Behind Mbappé is Vinicius, the second highest score of the team. His situation, however, is the opposite – he is in a scoring slump. Despite his ability to break down defenses, to dribble past opponents and create chaos on the wing, the goals have dried up. He has not scored against Salzburg since January 22 and is going to make five games without finding the net. That piece coincides with the suspension that he served (two games in La Liga for a red card at Mestalla and one in the Champions League due to map accumulation).
His form of competition is even more worrying – he has not scored against Osasuna since November 9, the same day that Militão was injured. But this is the Champions League and Vinicius continues to shine in Europe. Tomorrow the nightmare of Rico Lewis returns to Gallop through the Bernabéu field.
Vinicius is accompanied by Rodrygo on the right. Rodrygo has 13 goals this season, making him the third highest score of the team. He is also one of the most in-shape players in the team, who are confidently and crucial for breaking down defenses on the right flank. Although he played almost 500 less minutes, he defeated Bellingham (11 goals).
Although Rodrygo prefers to play centrally, he will sacrifice for the team, as Ancelotti emphasizes. In the meantime, Bellingham will play in his usual advanced midfield role – if it can even be called that. He is more a free spirit on the field.
The rest of the line -up contains few mysteries. Ceballos returns to the engine room in midfield after being resting in Pamplona, and Mendy starts at the back left. Despite a shaky season, Mendy remains the go-to man for big nights for Fran García. Valverde will continue with the right wing after yesterday having worked separately in the precautionary training – there is no injury problems. The only persistent question is whether rüdeliger will start.
If not, Asensio is the best candidate to replace him, although the return from Tchouameni to midfield is also an option. The last line -up is still taking shape, but it will undoubtedly be the best eleven – an arrangement for glory. Ancelotti goes completely in.
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