Real Madrid coach likely to name an unchanged lineup in Super Cup final vs Barcelona | OneFootball

It has been a decent start to the new year for Real Madrid so far, but their biggest challenge still lies ahead of them.

After pulling off a win from the jaws of defeat against Valencia, the Merengues were back to their usual goalscoring form in the Copa del Rey.

They then faced still opposition from Mallorca and won with a 3-0 scoreline that does not do justice to the challenge they faced.

Now, they take on Barcelona tonight in the final of the Spanish Super Cup and all eyes are on whom the manager will opt to trust in the starting lineup ahead of the biggest final of the season yet.

No changes expected

As relayed in a recent update by Radio MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra), Carlo Ancelotti will start the exact same lineup against Barcelona which played against Mallorca midweek.

The manager sees no need to change the dynamics which have been working in recent weeks and will thus continue to trust the same core of players.

Unless something drastic changes, the Merengues will thus field the same lineup.

Tchouameni, Bellingham fit to start. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

It will thus be Aurelien Tchouameni alongside Antonio Rudiger in central defence with Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy completing the full-back positions in defence.

Tchouameni suffered a blow to the head during the semi-finals and was substituted, but is ready to go again.

Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will start as the double pivot with in-form Jude Bellingham, who has recovered from the overload he suffered vs Mallorca, as the attacking midfielder and perhaps the team’s most vital piece against Barcelona.

Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe will complete the starting lineup and look to inflict damage on a Barcelona side which has not looked as threatening with the offside trap as they did before.

Given the form both teams are in, Real Madrid must pull out their A-game if they are to get the better of Barcelona on this occasion, especially given the Catalans’ versatile attack and solid midfield core.