How Real Madrid could line up against Alaves

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will again make changes to his starting side for Tuesday’s La Liga clash with Alaves at Bernabeu.

Los Blancos were confirmed aschampions earlier this month, and Ancelotti is therefore rotating his side in the final stages of the 2023-24 campaign, with games against Villarreal and Real Betis to follow this one.

Real Madrid are building towards the Champions League final on June 1, with the minutes of the players set to be carefully managed to ensure that they are in prime condition for that match.

A much-changed outfit beat Granada 4-0 on Saturday, but a number of the big-hitters are expected to return for this match, with Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Ferland Mendy, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior potentially all coming into the side.

Brahim Diaz scored twice against Granada and could keep his spot, while Thibaut Courtois is again expected to feature between the sticks.

Courtois – recently back from a long period out following two knee operations – is being tipped to start the Champions League final ahead of Andriy Lunin, who has been the number one stopper for the majority of the season.

Ancelotti could name a strong side on Tuesday before rotating again against Villarreal on May 19, and there will then be further changes against Real Betis, with that clash coming one week before the European Cup final.

David Alaba remains a long-term absentee for Real Madrid, while Aurelien Tchouameni is bidding to be fit for the Champions League final after suffering a foot injury against Bayern Munich last week.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Diaz, Vinicius