Carlo Ancelotti will alter his Real Madrid squad for Getafe's visit ahead of next week's crucial Champions League matchup with Manchester City.
Today is matchday 34 of LaLiga, and Real Madrid hosts Getafe in a match that won't matter much to Los Blancos but will mean a lot to the guests.
Madrid is third in the standings, seven points ahead of Real Sociedad and one point behind Atlético Madrid. Although Carlo Ancelotti's team is in little to no danger of missing out on Champions League qualification, they have no chance of closing the 14-point deficit separating them from league leaders Barcelona, who can clinch the title this weekend.
Trouble for Getafe at the basement of LaLiga
On the other hand, Getafe is mired in a relegation scrap and is now ranked 18th in LaLiga. In fact, Los Azulones' problems this season led to Quique Sánchez Flores' firing as head coach at the end of April. José Bordalás then took over at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.
Ancelotti will rearrange the deck before the UCL decision
Madrid enters today's match with one eye firmly fixed on Wednesday's second leg of the Champions League matchup against Manchester City. The Spanish and European champions drew 1-1 in the first leg of the semifinal at the Bernabéu, leaving the match in doubt going into the decisive match at the Etihad Stadium.
Madrid has won the Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Copa del Rey thus far this year. They rapidly fell behind a very reliable Barça in LaLiga, but they have made up for it in other tournaments, and a second consecutive Champions League victory would be the cherry on top. Ancelotti will make adjustments against Getafe as Los Merengues seeks its 15th European championship. David Alaba, Rodrygo Goes, and Karim Benzema did not practise yesterday and will not be in Real Madrid's matchday squad, which will be revealed today.
Players like Asensio and Dáz are expected to join Madrid.
As usual, Thibaut Courtois will start in goal. Right-back Dani Carvajal, who was dismissed against Real Sociedad, is suspended and will be replaced by Lucas Vázquez. At centre defence, Eduardo Milito and Antonio Rüdiger will alternate starting, with Rüdiger likely moving to the bench in Manchester. Nacho Fernández will replace Eduardo Camavinga at left back.
Aurélien Tchouaméni is expected to start at anchorman in the middle, with Camavinga and one of Fede Valverde or Dani Ceballos rounding out the midfield three. In a normal situation, Ancelotti might rest Valverde, but Ceballos is coming from an injury and might not be ready to play right away. preferred starters Ivan Modric
In the attack, Vincius Jnior is expected to keep his spot on the left while Marco Asensio will likely play on the right wing (Ancelotti has claimed the Brazilian would play against Getafe but hasn't confirmed if he will be in the starting XI). Mariano Dáz is expected to make his second league start as centre forward this season. Even for this game, Eden Hazard is not likely to start since Ancelotti has no faith in the Belgian.
Starting lineups for Real Madrid vs. Getafe:
Courtois; Lucas Velez; Milito; Rüdiger; Nacho; Valverde or Ceballos; Tchouaméni; Camavinga; Asensio; Mariano; and Vinicius.
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