Frank Christian
With an important Champions League match approaching, Real Madrid is set to face Liverpool again, echoing their previous finals in 2018 and 2022. In light of this, Carlo Ancelotti might experiment during Real’s La Liga game against Leganes.
This season has been challenging for the Los Blancos manager, made worse by numerous injuries affecting his squad.
Consequently, the match against their neighboring team, currently in 14th place, could provide a chance for the second-ranked European club to test new strategies as they prepare for an intense confrontation on Wednesday.
According to the Spanish outlet AS, Ancelotti might consider using Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde as a right-back against Leganes.
Additionally, promising young player Raul Asensio could make his first Liga start. At just 21, the defender has only appeared once from the bench, which was during a commanding 4-0 victory over Osasuna on November 9, before the international break.
Another player expected to get increased playing time is Brahim Diaz. The former Man City striker has been with Real since 2019, but most of his playing time has been on loan at AC Milan.
Despite this, Ancelotti may decide to incorporate Diaz into the main squad, hoping he can establish a good partnership upfront alongside regular stars Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe.
Observers of the team recognize the challenges they face, both in terms of performance and injury management.
Madrid Universal noted these tactical shifts as a “crucial ‘beta test’ for future contests,” emphasizing that the match against Leganes is still vital for Real Madrid’s success.
