Carlo Ancelotti’s preferred setup to start vs Barcelona – report | OneFootball

The 3-2 win for Real Madrid over Celta Vigo last night was one of the most crucial results that had to go the team’s way to keep them in the hunt for La Liga.

Los Blancos are now just four points behind Barcelona once more and they lock horns with Hansi Flick’s men in the next matchday.

The upcoming El Clasico, in many ways, will be the title decider and is Real Madrid’s final chance to gun for the league title. A win will leave them within one point of the Blaugrana, but a defeat will increase the gap to seven points.

Ancelotti’s lineup

According to reports (h/t The Madrid Zone), Carlo Ancelotti is seriously considering deploying the same lineup that featured against Celta Vigo last night in the upcoming game against Barcelona.

Ancelotti could use the same XI against Barcelona. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

While Los Blancos did indeed go on to make a mess of a comfortable situation against the Galicians, the setup provided Real Madrid serious stability through the middle.

The Italian coach is thus considering persisting with Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler in midfield alongside Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde.

The four-man midfield setup also means that he will only be able to deploy two attackers, and Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr will be the chosen duo. Rodrygo, even if he returns to the squad list, will not make the starting XI.

After losing three Clasicos this season, Real Madrid must step out on the field this weekend with real intent, for defeating Barcelona with a makeshift defense is indeed an uphill challenge.

It is, however, now a matter of prestige and survival. A defeat at Montjuic will also confirm that Real Madrid go trophyless in the three major competitions of the year.