Mbappé on the bench! Surprises in Real Madrid's lineup against Barcelona

OFFICIAL: Real Madrid will face FC Barcelona without Kylian Mbappé in their XI. Carlo Ancelotti has opted for a conservative lineup, with four midfielders and without a '9', to try to nullify the Blaugrana's game.

The French striker has failed to recover from his discomfort in his right ankle, which he has been carrying since the return leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal (1-2). The Bondy native will finally be a substitute and could play some minutes in the second half.

However, the Madrid press assured since Friday afternoon that 'Kiki' is at 60-65% of his physical condition, so it would not be surprising if he does not even have minutes in the game.

In principle, it was expected that Endrick would enter in his place, but 'Carletto' opted for an XI with four midfielders. Again, Jude Bellignham will play as an attacking midfielder, behind Rodrygo and Vinicius.

This is Real Madrid's lineup against FC Barcelona

• Initial XI: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy; Dani Ceballos, Tchouaméni, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr.
• Bench: Lunin (GK), Fran González (GK), Fran García, Alaba, Vallejo, Gonzalo García, Luka Modric, Arda Güler, Brahim, Endrick, Mbappé.
• Injured: Dani Carvajal, Éder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga.
• Suspended: None.

Fear of Barcelona? Real Madrid bets on a conservative XI

Kylian Mbappé leaving injured from the match between Real Madrid and Arsenal in the Champions League

As expected, Courtois will be Madrid's starting goalkeeper at La Cartuja and the Rüdiger-Asencio duo will be in the center of the defense. However, one of the surprises has to do with the presence of Lucas Vázquez and Ferland Mendy on the wings.

Both were clearly surpassed by Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, respectively, in the previous league Clásicos (0-4) and Spanish Super Cup (2-5), but Ancelotti insists on both in the absence of other alternatives with greater depth.

Fede Valverde could have played on the right, but the Uruguayan is much more transcendent as an inside/midfielder. For his part, Fran García has also failed to earn the trust of the Italian coach and, with Camavinga injured, the coach has preferred to bet on a Mendy who has not played since March 12, due to an injury to his left thigh.

In this way, Dani Ceballos and Tchouaméni will be Madrid's midfielders, with Valverde and Bellingham a little further forward, in a kind of 4-4-2. A conservative approach, with Rodrygo and Vinicius as area references, to try to deactivate the good high pressure work that Barça usually does.

Will Madrid be able to resist against a Barcelona that is widely favored?

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