Title: Ancelotti Shuffles Real Madrid Lineup for Super Cup Clash Against Mallorca
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti will shake up his starting lineup for the Spanish Super Cup semifinal against RCD Mallorca, deviating from the squad that claimed victory over Deportivo Minera in the Copa del Rey.
The latter encounter, a 5-0 victory that set up a last 16 clash against Celta Vigo, saw Ancelotti debut two La Fabrica talents and provide rare starts to other squad members. However, for the crucial Super Cup match in Saudi Arabia, where success means a final showdown with eternal rivals FC Barcelona, Ancelotti will opt for a strong lineup against last season's Copa del Rey runners-up.
Mallorca is no stranger to Ancelotti, who vows that Real Madrid's approach will remain "unchanged," despite the Super Cup nature of the game not altering its status as a La Liga match.
"We know them well and they know us. It's going to be very competitive. They gave us a hard time in La Liga. They possess certain qualities and can fight for the game," Ancelotti stated, rejecting comparisons between Mallorca under Javier Aguirre and their current squad.
"They defend well, like all of Arrasate's teams. They maximize their players' worth. That's my notion of a coach: to harness the strengths of your players," Ancelotti added, acknowledging Aguirre's replacement as Mallorca's new manager.
Despite frequently criticizing an overburdened soccer calendar, Ancelotti highlights that "when there's a title on the line, this team keeps focus and concentration at an exceptionally high level."
With a week's rest under their belts and their sights firmly set on the silverware, Real Madrid can field their full strength team – provided no injuries hamper their efforts.
Thibaut Courtois assumes his position between the sticks, backed by Ferland Mendy at left-back, Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni in the center, and captain Lucas Vazquez at right-back. Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde make up the midfield pairing, with Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Vinicius Junior occupying the advanced positions. Kylian Mbappe leads the attack as the lone striker, chasing his third trophy at Madrid since joining from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Real Madrid's Starting XI vs. Mallorca:
Courtois, Mendy, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Vazquez, Camavinga, Valverde, Vinicius, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe
Ancelotti's decision for the Spanish Super Cup semifinal against RCD Mallorca includes starting Jude Bellingham, a La Fabrica talent who has seen rare starts previously. This strong lineup is in contrast to the one used against Deportivo Minera in the Copa del Rey, where Vinicius Jr. also debuted. The latter game resulted in a 5-0 victory, setting up a clash against Celta Vigo, but for the Super Cup, Real Madrid aims to secure victory against eternal rivals FC Barcelona, who will face the Super Cup winners.
