Carlo Ancelotti is preparing for the return leg against Arsenal with doubts over his starting eleven but he is clear that the team’s approach must be to go for the opposition from the first minutes. He is aware that an early goal could be the start of a comeback that seems very complicated.
Doubts in the starting eleven
It seems that the main doubt for Carlo Ancelotti in the match against Arsenal is whether to field Lucas Vázquez or Dani Ceballos, which would determine Valverde’s position on the pitch, which would be either full-back or central midfield, depending on Ancelotti’s decision. The option of Brahim playing in midfield is also being considered, to give the team more attacking capacity. The loss of Camavinga forces the Italian coach to look for alternatives in the midfield that will allow him to get up the pitch and also have the offensive capacity for Arsenal’s transitions, which are sure to be dangerous for the Whites.
The chance of Lucas Vázquez playing is high: an attacking Madrid is expected, focused on the attack, and the balance to ensure that they don’t neglect the back line is to have Valverde in midfield, a tireless footballer capable of running great distances without his physique being a factor. In the first leg, the difference in the number of kilometers covered by each team was abysmal, and the inclusion of the Uruguayan in the midfield could give Real Madrid more dynamism.
With Lucas Vázquez, there would be the risk of Martinelli‘s runs down the left wing, but it is hoped that, with the return of Tchouameni and the help of Valverde, the Galician full-back can be covered.
Ceballos returns to the team
He was already present against Alavés, but he hardly played any minutes. But the truth is that Ancelotti already has a footballer who was key before the injury. The doubts with Ceballos are about his state of form. He has hardly had time to train since his injury, and there are doubts about whether his physique will be able to withstand the demands of such a complicated match. Ancelotti could risk using him for the first hour of the game, and then bring on fresher players like Modric, Brahim or Güler. Ceballos managed to bring balance and consistency to the team before getting injured at Anoeta in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, and his return is necessary for Real Madrid, but it is possible that his inclusion is a little hasty.
If Ancelotti finally decides on him, Valverde would play, as he did in the first leg, on the right wing, where the team gains in defense but loses in attack.
An attacking Real Madrid with problems at the back
Real Madrid have defended very poorly so far this season. Rare is the game where they manage to keep a clean sheet. This problem has been evident in important games, where they have seen a Real Madrid side playing in the middle of the park and with no defensive commitment from their attacking players, facilitating transitions for the opposition and easy chances to score. For the match against Arsenal, Real Madrid will have to be more offensive than ever, but also more united than ever. An Arsenal goal would make a comeback, which already seems very difficult, almost impossible.
Carlo Ancelotti is clear about Real Madrid’s plan against Arsenal and he only has one question to resolve. It seems logical that Lucas Vázquez would start with Valverde in the middle, but he could look for more attacking options with Ceballos in the midfield and with Valverde occupying the right wing and helping in midfield. There is no doubt that we will see a very attacking Real Madrid who will look to surprise Arsenal from the first minutes.