Real Madrid youngster pushing for a starting spot as El Clasico looms | OneFootball

According to Mundo Deportivo, Carlo Ancelotti is preparing to hand 20-year-old starlet Arda Guler a starting spot in Real Madrid’s midfield for their upcoming La Liga clash against Celta Vigo.

Real Madrid’s campaign hangs delicately in the balance. Losing the Copa del Rey final against their eternal rivals and exiting the UEFA Champions League, the league remains their last realistic shot at silverware this season.

With five La Liga games left and a four-point gap to close on leaders Barcelona, every match is now a must-win. And Ancelotti appears ready to put his faith in Guler to help tilt the scales.

Guler set to gain prominence

The 20-year-old midfielder has been quietly gaining momentum in recent weeks.

After spending the bulk of the season on the fringes, largely unused in the Champions League, where he failed to make appearances in any of the knockout fixtures, Guler has featured in six straight La Liga games.

He was a starter in three of those matches (against Leganes, Alaves, and Getafe), suggesting Ancelotti’s trust in the youngster is growing at a critical juncture.

Arda Guler will feature prominentely. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Guler’s most impressive performance came in the Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona, where he emerged as a bright spark off the bench.

Alongside Luka Modric, he helped galvanise Madrid’s second-half comeback attempt and even delivered the corner that led to Aurelien Tchouameni’s goal.

Just days earlier, he had scored the winning goal against Getafe, keeping Madrid within striking distance in the title race.

Injuries playing its role

Now, with Eduardo Camavinga sidelined through injury and Dani Ceballos struggling with a persistent ankle issue, Guler has an opportunity to cement a regular role in midfield.

The match against Celta could mark a turning point, not just in his season, but in his Real Madrid career.

For Ancelotti, it is a gamble worth taking. Guler offers creativity, composure, and a much-needed spark in a team that has lacked inspiration at times this season.

If he can deliver again this weekend, he may well find himself starting at Montjuic in the most important match of the year.