Three men in formal suits, two of them with a big red X over their bodies.
Carlo Ancelotti's executioner on the benches. | Camara Real Madrid Confidencial
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Neither Simeone nor Guardiola, Ancelotti Faces His True 'Black Beast'

The Italian coach hasn't been able to defeat the current Rayo Vallecano coach since he arrived on the bench.

by

Sergio Iglesias

Real Madrid Faces Rayo Vallecano in a Clash That Could Be Key for LaLiga's Development. If the white team continues dropping points in the championship, their goal of catching up to the two leaders ahead of them will become considerably complicated.

Meanwhile, it is practically inevitable that they will also be focused on the second leg of the Champions League. Next Wednesday, Real Madrid will play for a spot in the quarterfinals at the Metropolitano in a high-voltage Madrid classic.

Two players in action during a soccer match, one in a gray uniform and the other in a white uniform with a red stripe, both focused on the ball.
Real Madrid tied three-three in the first leg in Vallecas. | Real Madrid Confidencial

Carlo Ancelotti Will Rely on Rotations Against Rayo Vallecano

For this reason, it is very likely that Carlo Ancelotti will introduce some rotations in the starting eleven. Among the most notable changes could be Fede Valverde, Rüdiger, Mendy, Rodrygo, and even Tchouaméni and Kylian Mbappé.

The most relevant aspect of this match will be the return of Bellingham to the starting eleven, after serving a two-match suspension in LaLiga and one in the Champions League.

Íñigo Pérez, Real Madrid's Executioner

Carlo Ancelotti has faced Íñigo Pérez's Rayo Vallecano twice, and both matches ended in a draw. The Pamplona coach, along with Hansi Flick, is one of the few managers in LaLiga who has not yet been defeated by the Italian.

However, it is worth noting that those two matches were played in Vallecas. This Sunday, the former Osasuna footballer will experience his first time managing from the bench at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Meanwhile, aside from last season's goalless draw, Rayo Vallecano hasn't scored at the Santiago Bernabéu since the year 2000.

A player from Real Madrid attempts a shot while another player from the opposing team tries to block it in a match.
Real Madrid couldn't get past a goalless draw in their last clash against Rayo at Bernabéu. | Real Madrid Confidencial

The Vallecano team doesn't have great experiences at Chamartín's stronghold. For this reason, Carlo Ancelotti will seek his first victory against Íñigo Pérez and prevent the positive streak against Rayo Vallecano at Santiago Bernabéu from being lost.

Additionally, the Madrid club is obliged to achieve a good result, as another slip-up would mean discarding more than half of the League. Atlético and Barça will have to play their matches, but next week's league clash between them could be key for the whites.

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