With the league already practically sentenced, twelve points behind Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid receives this afternoon (4:15 p.m.) a Valladolid in full fight for permanence and that has not won at the Santiago Bernabéu since 2000. The game comes to the team white in the midst of intense rumors about the continuity of Carlo Ancelotti next season and only pending to clarify his options on Wednesday in the Cup, where he has to come back at the Camp Nou from 0-1 in the first leg, and in the quarterfinals Champions League final against Chelsea.
In the previous press conference, Ancelotti insisted that he wants to fulfill the remaining year on his contract: “I’ll be here as long as Madrid allows it.” Later, he acknowledged, contrary to what he had said on other occasions, that he will not retire when he leaves Madrid and that he is excited that Brazil may be interested in his services.
For this afternoon many rotations are expected. Ancelotti will give rest to players who have played many minutes with their national teams, in the case of Modric, or those who have made long trips, such as Valverde. In Modric’s place, Dani Ceballos is expected to start, although Tchouaméni, who has recently fallen out of favor, would also have his options.
In defense Nacho cannot play for cards, but neither will the one who was signed up as a possible substitute, Ferland Mendy, who has just been injured for a month when he had just reappeared after two months injured. The position will go to David Alaba or Camavinga, who has already played many games as a left back, although Ancelotti prefers to put him in midfield.
Above Marco Asensio could have options, especially if he reserves Benzema, who is not having much continuity. If the Frenchman played the attacking triplet it would be the classic this season, with VinÃcius, who seems untouchable, Benzema and Rodrygo Goes. The Uruguayan from the academy, Ãlvaro RodrÃguez, who has already played and scored against Atlético, could also have minutes.
Valladolid comes to Madrid with the loss of Darwin MachÃs, who still has not recovered from his muscular problems, and Javi Sanchez, suspended. Pacheta’s speech before the game is one of optimism: “To win at the Bernabéu we have to give a higher level and I think we’re ready. They don’t need to activate to the maximum, but we have to compete in every game. Go out to win. Yes then it doesn’t go well, I’ll be the one who will show my face but for the moment that’s what we have to do. Real Valladolid have only won three times at the Bernabéu, so we want this to be the fourth”.
