Real Madrid possible lineup against Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga

One doubt and many certainties. That is how Arbeloa is approaching Rayo Vallecano’s visit to the Bernabéu, at least when it comes to the starting lineup. From a footballing perspective, though, the unknowns are far greater. Especially after Lisbon. The night at Da Luz extinguished several lights. It sent the new Madrid back to square one.

The 4-2 defeat still resonates and will continue to do so, not least because the whims of the draw have placed a possible act of revenge on the horizon. But Arbeloa is not thinking about that. He does not want to. “Rayo Vallecano,” he replied when asked about the round of 32 tie against Benfica. Total focus on the present.

Against Iñigo’s side, there are many untouchables. And then there is Rodrygo or Brahim: that is the main debate on the eve of the match.

Mastantuono looks set to return to the bench after a run of starts, which is where numbers 11 and 21 come into play. Not only as potential starters against Rayo, which is also on the table, but as contenders to claim that vacant spot for the long term. Rodrygo made it his own during Xabi’s final days, with three goals and four assists in six games. He clicked against City and reinforced his qualities with a confidence that elevated his importance. Until physical problems opened the door for Franco.

That window coincided with Brahim leading Morocco to the Africa Cup of Nations final, scoring five goals and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. The final outcome was bitter, but everything else felt like vindication. Two men with a shared destiny. Three, in reality, when looking at the season as a whole.

The rest feels like muscle memory. Arbeloa was clear in his press conference about the “untouchables”: Courtois, Valverde, Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinicius. All five have played every minute of the last four matches, and the coach has no intention of changing course.

“Well… there will be people who aren’t Madrid fans who don’t want them on the pitch. I imagine that what Madrid fans want is for their best players to always be available, always on the field. They are… the five you mentioned… players who could be among the top ten in the world. So they have my complete confidence. And it’s not just my confidence, it’s their performance that puts them on the field.” End of story.

That leaves the attacking line and much of the midfield effectively decided. Still, a change is expected in the centre of the pitch compared to the league win at La Cerámica. In Villarreal, Camavinga played as the pivot.

Against Rayo Vallecano, as against Mourinho’s side, Tchouameni is expected to anchor the midfield. Güler, meanwhile, should operate on the right side of midfield alongside Bellingham. It will be Arda’s first appearance since the controversy surrounding his substitution at the Estádio da Luz.

At the back, with Valverde again on the right, the line will be completed by Asencio, Huijsen and Carreras. The aim is to reinforce a foundation that looked as solid as titanium against Villarreal and as fragile as glass against Benfica. Continuity is the chosen recipe. So that Lisbon remains a slip-up and nothing more. So that it does not disrupt a structure Arbeloa has built with considerable care.

All of this points towards the following starting eleven against Rayo: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Güler, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo or Brahim, Mbappé and Vinicius. On paper, at least. Continuity, not revolution.