League-leading Real Madrid face rock-bottom Elche in the Spanish top flight on Wednesday evening.
Elche have hardly been a staple of La Liga but when they have troubled the top flight, Los Franjiverdes have endured a wretched record against Madrid. Los Blancos have won 11 of their previous 13 meetings with Elche, last suffering defeat in this fixture all the way back in 1978.
Here’s the XI Carlo Ancelotti – who was still a teenager for Elche’s most recent triumph – may deploy this weekend.
GK: Andriy Lunin – If Thibaut Courtois couldn’t be risked for El Clasico then it’s unlikely that he’ll be rushed back for a trip to the division’s bottom side.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – One day after signing for Espanyol, Rafa Benitez paid twice as much to bring him straight back to the capital where he has remained as a useful squad player since.
CB: Eder Militao – The Brazilian nabbed a 92nd-minute equaliser the last time these sides met.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Ancelotti’s “warrior” received his 20 stitches in midweek with his legs nonchalantly crossed. Rudiger has experience playing in a protective face mask and may nuzzle his way deeper into the hearts of Madrid’s fanbase with a start despite his injury.
LB: Ferland Mendy – In celebration of their Clasico victory, Mendy posted a picture which showed Barcelona’s Gavi flying through the air after coming off worse in a shoulder-to-shoulder barge with the French fullback.
CM: Federico Valverde – Just nine games into the new campaign, Valverde has recorded the best scoring season of his league career (four).
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – While perusing through a book on the legacy of New Zealand’s rugby union team, the All Blacks, Tchouameni noted down the phrase “aim for the highest cloud” on his phone.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – Aged 16, Camavinga became the youngest individual to be voted Ligue 1’s player of the month. He is yet to win La Liga’s equivalent.
RW: Rodrygo – Eric Goes hadn’t retired from professional football when his son Rodrygo made his top-flight debut in 2017.
ST: Karim Benzema – The Ballon d’Or favourite ended a five-game goal drought against Barcelona on Sunday night.
LW: Vinicius Junior – Madrid’s leading scorer this term was responsible for both goals in a 2-1 win on Madrid’s last trip to Elche’s home ground.
