A soccer coach wearing a white cap and a Real Madrid jersey stands in the foreground while a group of the team's players pose behind him in a stadium full of spectators.
Carlo Ancelotti outlines his starting eleven to face Pachuca | Camara Real Madrid Confidencial
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Ancelotti's Sacrificed for the Intercontinental Cup, Radical Change in the Eleven

The Italian coach's planned changes to this eleven could be definitive

by

Enrique Sanz

Real Madrid is now fully focused on their game  against Mexican Pachuca. The Intercontinental Cup final starts in a few hours and the tension of a top-level game is already looms over the team.  Ancelotti is running out of time to give his players the final instructions.

That includes putting together the best starting eleven possible. Reggiolo's boss has discussed possible variables ahead of this international game, but will ultimately opt for his best available lineup... taking into account his injured players.

A group of soccer players in gray uniforms hug each other on the field during a match.
Real Madrid celebrate a goal at the Vallecas Stadium | Real Madrid Confidencial

The information published by the newspaper As reveals part of the plans that Real Madrid's coach has for this afternoon's game. Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga are expected to start after recovering properly from their injuries.

The three French players were last-minute doubts but will finally start in the Intercontinental Cup final. There participation of Tchouaméni, who has already been cleared for the competition,  was not a big quesiton mark. But the possibility of seeing Raúl Asencio in the center of defense was real. Finally, Ancelotti has decided to bet on the French '14' for that position.

Final form

The cases of Mbappé and Camavinga are very striking. Both players have been absent in recent matches due to injury: the striker from Bondy, with his ailment since the visit to Bergamo, has worked hard to get to Lusail.

As things stand, everything points to Real Madrid once again fielding its best attacking trident: Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. The physical irregularities of these three players, as well as the tactical changes in recent months, have prevented Real Madrid fans from seeing them together regularly.

Football players in action during a match in a stadium full of spectators.
Rodrygo Goes during the match against Rayo Vallecano | Real Madrid Confidencial

After scoring a goal in their visit to the Estadio de Vallecas, Real Madrid have high hopes for a win against Pachuca. It will not be an easy match, as the Mexican team is one of the most important rivals in the new Club World Cup organized by FIFA next summer.

Whatever the case, Real Madrid will be out to win their second title of the season. The first of the seven they hope to win this season was won last August, after beating Atalanta 2-0 in the European Super Cup.

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