Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Celta Vigo | OneFootball

Real Madrid have officially revealed their starting XI for their clash against Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu — and it paints a clear picture of the crisis currently gripping Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.

With a long list of key absentees and a last-minute blow in Rodrygo’s withdrawal, Ancelotti has been forced into one of the most makeshift starting lineups of his tenure.

The defensive situation is dire. With Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Eder Militao unavailable through injury, Ancelotti had no room for rotation.

The backline essentially selected itself: Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia will occupy the full-back positions, while Aureélien Tchouameni is partnered by Raul Asencio in central defence. Behind them, Thibaut Courtois returns to guard the net.

In midfield, the Italian manager is expected to use a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with Jude Bellingham operating at the tip just behind the two strikers and Federico Valverde will act as the anchorman.

Ancelotti has chosen to deploy young Turkish talent Arda Guler and has chosen Dani Ceballos ahead of Luka Modric to complete the diamond.

Up front, the headline is the return of Kylian Mbappe. After a three-game absence and a red card in his last La Liga appearance in Vitoria, the Frenchman is back in the starting XI, ready to rekindle his partnership with Vinicius Jr.

With his options limited, Ancelotti has named several youth team players, namely, Sergio Mestre, Jacobo Ramon and Youssef Enriquez on the bench.