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 overwhelmed by Real Valladolid for most of Sunday’s games before Brahim Diaz scored and assisted from the bench late on to secure a comfortable 3-0 win. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were hosted by Mallorca to open the home season.
Much talk surrounds Kylian Mbappe to start 2024/25, but it is the former Madrid guard who has impressed the most at the start of the new season.
The upcoming midweek game could give the manager a chance to make some changes, and here is the starting XI he could choose for Thursday.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – After a busy opening game in Mallorca, Valladolid’s error meant Courtois didn’t have to work hard to get his first La Liga clean sheet of the season on Sunday.
RB: Dani Carvajal – Madrid haven’t dipped a toe in the right-back market this summer, so Ancelotti will rely on Carvajal to remain fit for most of the campaign.
CB: Eder Militao – The Brazilian has never enjoyed a good start to the season, with Valladolid delighted to come in behind Militao on Sunday. However, he will remain in the side with David Alaba still present.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Rudiger is assured of his place in Ancelotti’s squad, even with Alaba back in the fold. Oli McBurnie will fight this fight on Thursday.
LB: Ferland Mendy – After serving his one-match ban last week, Mendy, who was sent off on Matchday 1, should return to the starting line-up at left back in midweek.
DM: Luka Modric – Modric will once again play a supporting role in 2024/25, but this could be an opportunity for the veteran to secure a starting spot in the middle of the park. Aurelien Tchouameni has not covered well for the opening of the new season.
DM: Federico Valverde – The Madrid midfielder looked to have a pivot-y double at the start of 2024/25, with Valverde continuing in a sought-after box-to-box role. He is very important to Ancelotti, and opened the scoring at the weekend with a 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 goal in the 2024/25 La Liga against Mallorca.
AM: Arda Guler – Brahim Diaz will feel heavy handed after sealing Madrid’s win from the bench on Sunday, but Guler impressed again at the weekend, and signs point to the young Turkish playing a big role for Los Blancos this season.
LM: Vinicius Junior – No goals for Vini Jr in recent times, but the Brazilian continues to pretend he is the best player in the world. He will start at left tackle on Thursday.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – The French superstar may have scored his first goal for Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, but that first La Liga goal has eluded him so far. Mbappe had a hat-trick of shots against Valladolid, but failed to find a goal.
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