Real Madrid’s chances of silverware beyond the Supercopa de Espana this season took a major hit on Thursday night as Atletico Madrid knocked them out of the Copa del Rey.
Each La Liga game takes on even more significance now and Los Blancos can move back to the table with a victory over Almeria on Sunday afternoon. It’s a game they certainly should be winning by a healthy margin given their opponents have not won a single game this season and have only six points. At this point, it would be a miracle if they were in La Liga next year.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has defensive injuries to think about, with Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba still sidelined and Lucas Vazquez also out with a minor injury.
Here’s the starting lineup Ancelotti is likely to choose when Madrid host Almeria.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – Despite Andriy Lunin playing in goal against Atletico on Thursday, Kepa is expected to come back in from the start against Almeria.
RB: Dani Carvajal – The veteran Spaniard is enjoying the current lack of competition at right-back, something Madrid must address in the summer.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – The last man standing when it comes to Ancelotti’s best defenders, Rudiger will deserve a huge amount of praise if Los Blancos do win La Liga.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – Set for a lot of games in the centre of defence, Nacho will do what he can to limit the impact of Alaba and Militao’s injuries.
LB: Ferland Mendy – The constant talk of Alphonso Davies’ potential arrival can’t be nice for Mendy, so he has a real point to prove each week.
CM: Federico Valverde – Madrid’s midfield workhorse, Valverde will keep doing what he does and hope the more creative players get the job done.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – The new director of Madrid’s midfield, Tchouameni will want to lift more silverware this season than just the Supercopa.
CM: Toni Kroos – The expectation is that Ancelotti will favour the experience of Kroos in midfield and give Eduardo Camavinga a rest.
AM: Jude Bellingham – Is yet to score in 2024 and this is a great opportunity for Bellingham to change that.
ST: Rodrygo – There was a chance he would miss the Atletico match with an injury but played from the start, so there is little reason to think Rodrygo won’t start here.
ST: Vinicius Jr – Has been given a warning by Ancelotti for his spat with Diego Simeone, so this is a time for the Brazilian to let his football do the talking.
