After securing their first La Liga win of the season on Sunday, Real Madrid are in midweek action at Las Palmas on Matchday 3.
Madrid were frustrated by Real Valladolid for large swathes of Sunday’s game before Brahim Diaz recorded a goal and an assist off the bench late on to eventually seal a comfortable 3-0 win. Carlo Ancelotti’s side had been held by Mallorca to open up the domestic season.
Much of the discourse has surrounded Kylian Mbappe to start 2024/25, but it’s Madrid’s old guard that have impressed the most at the beginning of the new season.
The upcoming midweek fixture could give the manager a chance to rotate, and here’s the starting XI he could pick on Thursday.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – After a busy opening encounter in Mallorca, Valladolid’s errant finishing meant Courtois didn’t have to work too hard for his first La Liga clean sheet of the season on Sunday.
RB: Dani Carvajal – Madrid haven’t dipped their toe into the right-back market this summer, so Ancelotti will be relying on Carvajal to stay fit for much of the campaign.
CB: Eder Militao – The Brazilian hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to the season, with Valladolid having plenty of joy getting in behind Militao on Sunday. However, he will remain in the side with David Alaba still absent.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Rudiger is assured of his place in Ancelotti’s team, even when Alaba returns to the fold. Oli McBurnie will be up for the battle on Thursday.
LB: Ferland Mendy – After serving his one-game suspension last time out, Mendy, who was sent off on Matchday 1, should return to the starting XI at left-back in midweek.
DM: Luka Modric – Modric will play a supporting role yet again in 2024/25, but this could be an opportunity for the veteran to earn a start in the middle of the park. Aurelien Tchouameni hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory to open up the new season.
DM: Federico Valverde – Madrid’s midfield has looked more double-pivot-y at the start of 2024/25, with Valverde continuing in a demanding box-to-box role. He’s pivotal to Ancelotti, and he opened the scoring at the weekend with a deflected free-kick.
RM: Rodrygo – There could be a change here, although Rodrygo has enjoyed a bright start to the season. The Brazilian scored Madrid’s first La Liga goal of 2024/25 against Mallorca.
AM: Arda Guler – Brahim Diaz will feel hard done by after sealing Madrid’s win on Sunday off the bench, but Guler also impressed at the weekend, and the signs are pointing towards the young Turkish playmaker playing a big role for Los Blancos this term.
LM: Vinicius Junior – No goal contributions for Vini Jr last time out, but the Brazilian continues to perform as if he’s the best player on the planet. He’ll start down the left flank on Thursday.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – The French superstar may have recorded his first Madrid goal in the UEFA Super Cup, but that maiden La Liga goal has eluded him thus far. Mbappe had a hatful of shots against Valladolid, but he failed to find the target.
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