90min

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Valladolid - La Liga

By Grey Whitebloom

Carlo Ancelotti began his managerial career back in 1995, before 15 members of his squad were born
Carlo Ancelotti began his managerial career back in 1995, before 15 members of his squad were born / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
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Real Madrid resume La Liga action with an away game against Real Valladolid on Friday night.

Valladolid's manager is the familiar figure of Ronaldo. The Brazilian icon is not only a former Madrid favourite but also spent 18 months at AC Milan when Carlo Ancelotti was at the helm of the Rossoneri.

Ronaldo was only fit enough to make 16 starts for Ancelotti but still found time to directly contribute to 14 goals.

Here's the Madrid XI Ancelotti may deploy to inflict some similar damage on Ronaldo's Valladolid.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Valladolid (4-3-3)

Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos has completed more passes than any other La Liga player this season / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages

GK: Thibaut Courtois - After a World Cup group-stage exit which Courtois described as "embarrassing", the big Belgian will be grateful for a return to club football.

RB: Dani Carvajal - One of just two Real Madrid players in Spain's squad, La Roja's round of 16 exit didn't over-work Ancelotti's first-choice right-back.

CB: Antonio Rudiger - There has been a combative streak to Rudiger's game since childhood. As he explained: "I used to play so hard on the concrete pitches that all the older kids started calling me 'Rambo"."

CB: David Alaba - The three-time Champions League winner has never played in the World Cup finals. It may be a crushing personal disappointment but at least he's fresh for Real Madrid.

LB: Ferland Mendy - Zinedine Zidane was a big selling point for Mendy when he swapped Lyon for La Liga but Ancelotti has kept faith in the full-back since replacing the fullback's compatriot.

CM: Fede Valverde - Across his first 128 La Liga appearances, Valverde racked up five goals. In 14 outings this season, Madrid's joint-top scorer has already netted six.

CM: Toni Kroos - For the first time since Euro 2008, Kroos wasn't involved in a major international tournament. He didn't miss out on much action with Germany.

CM: Dani Ceballos - If Ancelotti rests the players that made it to the final weekend of the World Cup, Ceballos may be called in to plug a gap in midfield.

RW: Rodrygo - When he turned ten, Rodrygo's birthday party theme was "Rodrygo Real Madrid". The wish he made when he blew out those candles came true.

ST: Karim Benzema - Talk of revenge is rife after Benzema made an early exit from France's World Cup squad despite supposedly being fit for the knockout stages.

LW: Vinicius Junior - Back in 2018, Vinicius pledged to win the continental club title in South America and Europe within five years. He missed out on the Copa Libertadores but snagged the Champions League on schedule.

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