This season has been nothing short of amazing for Real Madrid. The only thing preventing him from being exceptional is the outcome of the derby versus Atlético. Ancelotti has the ability to alter the plan so that Bellingham is at ease and content, and the team can capitalize on the “overbooking” that occurs in the middle of the field. As that guy from the VAR room would remark, everything is OK.

The timing of the Clásico appears to be favorable for the white team. The injuries to Courtois and Militao have been forgotten, Güler is still out of the picture, and Ceballos is still recovering, so the Italian coach will have the remaining players at his disposal. This means that tough choices will need to be made. All the signs point to Real Madrid starting an eleven in Montjuïc, with Mendy starting at left back, Kroos, Tchouaméni, Valverde, and Bellinghan completing the diamond in midfield, and Rodrygo and Vinicius up front.

This implies that Camavinga and Modric will have to sit out the first few minutes of the game before getting a chance to play. Two players who, in any other squad, would be starting members When it comes to establishing the tempo and getting the ball played from behind, Kroos has evolved into—or rather, remains—an indispensable component. Start as a starter for Barcelona as a substitute in Portugal.

One is for the players he still stands in for at Real Madrid, such as Luka Modric, and the other is for his energy and verticality, which are particularly evident when he initiates the Madrid attack from the left zone. Both will undoubtedly be able to prove their mettle in Barcelona, but how the game plays out will determine when they can.

The pulse of Rodrygo-Camavinga
If the Croatian has been revealed gradually, Camavinga appeared to have earned a starting spot at moments during his nearly flawless performance against Braga, but doing so would have required giving up Rodrygo’s involvement. Ancelotti and his coaching staff are willing to take a risk and will back the attacking Brazilian pair. “Matches are won during the 90 minutes and not only with the starting lineup,” the Italian has acknowledged on multiple occasions.

A classic incites a trend every time. A win over an enduring adversary is a significant morale boost for both parties. Moreover, the tangible aspect of this situation raises the chance of gaining an edge (Real Madrid) or surpassing the rival team (Barcelona) in the standings. The coaches provide meticulous attention to every aspect, and while they might not realize it, they also keep a loose eye on what the opposition is capable of, or at the very least, how to surprise them. The choices are important since they will determine how the game progresses in the coming weeks.

Ancelotti has been giving away hints about his plans for the Classic in recent games. He substituted players such as Alaba and Mendy, who are currently key members of the defense, for Modric in the match against Braga. The Frenchman was particularly effective at left-back, a position that raises questions and that Camavinga has started to occupy on a regular basis.

A forceful eleven

The Real Madrid coaching staff wants to get the word across that they should aim for the three points and not linger on unanswered questions while also preparing for any eventualities that may arise during the game. And not just with Camavinga and Modric, but also with Joselu, a player whose diligence, perseverance, and output have fully gained Ancelotti’s confidence.

In addition, Vinicius has fully recovered from his injury and is once again the demanding and decisive striker of the first team at the last minute, as demonstrated by his performance in the most recent games and the various tests that the players undergo in Valdebebas. The coach has never lost faith in Rodrygo. His points of contention include the game against Sevilla and the goal that was retrieved against Braga.

With regard to Bellingham, their play and objectives say it all. He was worn out by the end of the game due to the Braga stadium’s soft ground, but he made no excuses about perhaps getting hurt. He will be more than motivated to take on his first classic.