Ancelotti is set to rotate his starting team against La Real given Madrid’s strong position and crucial upcoming games.
Real Madrid travel this Friday to San Sebastián to play Real Sociedad (3 p.m. ET / noon PT) on match day 33 of in LaLiga,.
Some fans have already started the countdown to sing ‘We Are the Champions’ after winning El Clásico last weekend against Barcelona, a result which left Xavi’s side 11 points behind their title rivals with 18 to play for, making a comeback a near impossibility.
Why are Real Madrid playing on Friday?
As for the game against La Real (Real Sociedad’s ‘nickname’), it will take place on Friday at the request of Madrid in order for them to have more time to prepare for the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, next Tuesday at Bayern’s Allianz Arena (3 p.m. ET / noon PT).
How many points do Real Madrid need to win LaLiga?
Los Blancos will go to San Sebastián with at least half of their minds on the game in Germany, as is expected. The club need only to gain 7 points from the 18 that remain in order to win the league, something that Ancelotti knows, which is why he’s set to rotate.
To begin with, Ancelotti will be without Mendy (an overload, he has stayed in Madrid to do gym work) and with Bellingham (gastroenteritis), as well as the long-term absences of Alaba and Courtois.
Rodrygo did not train this Thursday due to flu symptoms, although he was included in the squad. Depending on how he feels this Friday morning will determine whether or not he travels to the Basque Country or not.
In goal, although Ancelotti acknowledged that he was mulling over a possible rotation, Lunin is expected to continue to keep him match ready for Munich.
In defence Madrid will play Carvajal (he cannot play in Munich, where his place will be taken by Lucas Vázquez), Militão (first start after his cruciate fracture), Nacho and Fran García, who returns to the XI in the absence of Mendy .
In the centre of the pitch, the changes continue, with Tchouaméni and Modric forming the double pivot, Camavinga as an inside midfielder and Brahim in the hole, although slightly pushed out towards the right. And in attack, Joselu will be Vinicius’s only companion. Güler and Ceballos will have their chance in the second half, but they will start on the bench.
The game between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid will be played on Friday, April 26, 2024. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET / noon PT. Follow the latest LaLiga news on AS USA.