A season without silverware is a genuine possibility at Real Madrid as we approach crunch time in the 2022/23 campaign.
This, however, is typically when Los Blancos come into their own. While Barcelona are running away with La Liga, Real have a Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea upcoming, as well as the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona.
Real have lost the last two Clasicos, and they need to overturn a 1-0 deficit if they’re to advance into the final against either Osasuna or Athletic Club.
Here’s the starting XI Carlo Ancelotti could pick as Real visit the Camp Nou on Wednesday night.Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-4-2)
GK: Thibaut Courtois – The Belgian has been ubiquitous between the sticks when fit this season and that certainly won’t change on Wednesday.
RB: Dani Carvajal – The super consistent Spaniard has featured in this fixture constantly over the years, and his positioning was an intriguing sub-plot of the recent La Liga meeting which Barcelona won at the death.
CB: Eder Militao – The Brazilian has developed into one of Europe’s best centre-backs, but it’s his own goal that separates the two sides at the halfway mark of this tie.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – A knee injury ruled Rudiger out of the weekend’s emphatic victory over Real Valladolid, but Ancelotti doesn’t believe the issue is serious. Thus, the German could quickly return to the fold and start on Wednesday.
LB: David Alaba – Left-back’s been a bit of a problem area for Real this season and they’ll be without Ferland Mendy for this one. As a result, Alaba will likely return to his Bayern vintage and start down the left.
RM: Federico Valverde – Valverde’s breakout performance came when functioning as a right-sided midfielder in El Clasico three years ago. The three-lunged Uruguayan will play a key role in disrupting Barcelona in possession.
CM: Luka Modric – Ancelotti’s projected change in tack means one of Modric and Toni Kroos will miss out. Kroos is enjoying yet another stellar season, but he played 90 minutes on Sunday while Modric didn’t feature. That would suggest the Italian is saving the Croatian for this clash.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – The marvellous young midfielder is quickly becoming an integral part of Ancelotti’s Real, and while it was his error that led to Barcelona’s winner in the first leg, there’s no doubt the Frenchman will start on Wednesday. Ancelotti needs his athleticism in the middle of the park.
LM: Vinicius Jr – Vini’s set for another duel with Barça’s Ronald Araujo. The towering defender has often got the better of the superstar Brazilian, and the winger will be determined to get one over his apparent kryptonite.
ST: Karim Benzema – Benzema heads into the second leg after netting a quick-fire hat-trick in the first half on Saturday. It’s been another productive season for the striker, with his three goals at the weekend taking his season tally up to 22 in all competitions. Ancelotti needs a big performance from his hitman.
ST: Rodrygo – Rodrygo’s arrival in the recent La Liga meeting between these two sides sparked Real’s best period in the contest. The Brazilian international is averaging a goal contribution every 112 minutes in all competitions this season, and he deserves a start in Wednesday’s Clasico.
