Title: Four Key Switches in Real Madrid's Lineup Against RB Salzburg, as Per Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's head coach, is preparing to tweak his squad for their upcoming Champions League clash against RB Salzburg. The Italian tactician is well aware of their precarious position in the group stage due to losses against Lille and AC Milan earlier in the campaign. With Barcelona securing their place in the next round through an exhilarating comeback against Benfica, Real Madrid looks set for a play-off battle unless they can win their remaining fixtures.
Ancelotti admitted that their chances of automatic qualification are slim but, as always, they will give their best. "If we have any hope, it's in winning the two remaining games. If we're in the play-off, we'll do our best, but we're accustomed to demanding schedules," he explained.
Rumors have been circulating about Ancelotti's intentions to leave the club at the end of the season, but he categorically denied these reports during his press conference. "I want to be absolutely clear. The date of my departure from this club will never be decided by me. It could be tomorrow, in a few games, in a year... or in five years," he asserted, stressing that it was Florentino Pérez, the club president, who would decide his future at Real Madrid.
The Italian manager also revealed that his goal is to extend his stay at the club for at least as long as Pérez, who was recently re-elected for another term. "And so, we’ll say goodbye together," he said with a smile.
Staying focused on the task at hand, Thibaut Courtois will keep goal, protected by a backline consisting of Fran Garcia, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, and Fede Valverde. The Uruguayan, Valverde, will drop deeper due to the absence of a natural right-back in the first team squad, leading to a double pivot with Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Jude Bellingham will remain the most advanced midfielder, flanked by Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo, with Brahim anchoring the bench. Striker Kylian Mbappe, who made some important confessions during the week, will lead the attack in his central number 9 role.
Real Madrid's Starting XI Vs. RB Salzburg:
Courtois; Fran Garcia, Rudiger, Asencio, Valverde; Ceballos, Tchouameni; Vinicius, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Mbappe
Real Madrid is currently facing some challenges in the Champions League. Sitting 22nd in the group stage, one point ahead of Dinamo Zagreb, they need to win both remaining matches to secure a spot in the knockout phase play-off. Defensively, they need to improve their solidity if they want to challenge for silverware this season.
Ancelotti mentioned that Real Madrid's hope of automatically qualifying for the knockout stage relies on winning their remaining Champions League fixtures against RB Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb. He also acknowledged the importance of addressing their defensive issues to be contenders for silverware this season.
With Barcelona securing their berth in the next round, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham will be crucial elements in Real Madrid's attack, taking on central roles in the team's starting XI against RB Salzburg. Their performances could significantly impact the outcome of the crucial match.
