Carlo Ancelotti has been forced to name a makeshift Real Madrid defence for their El Clasico showdown with Barcelona today.
Los Blancos know they are losing grip on their LaLiga crown. Trailing their bitter rivals by four points with just four games to play, nothing but a win this afternoon will realistically keep the title race alive.
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Keeping Barca's attack at bay is a massive task in itself and Real's hopes of doing so have been dealt major blows in defence.
Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao have long been ruled out for the season with ACL injuries and they've since been joined on the sidelines by Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy and David Alaba.
As a result, Aurelien Tchouameni deputises in central defence alongside Raul Asencio. Meanwhile, Fran Garcia has the unenviable task of dealing with Lamine Yamal on the left and Lucas Vazquez captains the team from right-back.
There was a decision to make as to who joins Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham in attack.
Rodrygo is fit after recovering from an illness, but is only on the bench as Arda Guler starts again following a goal and an assist against Celta Vigo last weekend.
Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde continue as the midfield pairing with Luka Modric among the substitutes and no Eduardo Camavinga, with Thibaut Courtois in goal as usual.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Tchouameni, Asencio, Fran Garcia, Ceballos, Valverde, Bellingham, Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
Subs: Lunin, Vallejo, Sergio Mestre, Modric, Brahim, Youssef, Rodrygo, Jacobo, Endrick, Victor Munoz
Injured: Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy, Alaba, Camavinga
Time and date: 3.15pm BST on Sunday May 11, 2025
How to watch: Premier Sports
Venue: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona
