How do Real Madrid cope without Bellingham and Ceballos against Atletico Madrid? | OneFootball

Real Madrid are up against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, March 4th, in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. The Madrid derby on the European stage has seen the Whites prevail every single time, although for that to happen, Carlo Ancelotti must make do without two key players.

Jude Bellingham will miss the first bout of proceedings owing to a suspension, while Dani Ceballos has been ruled out for both fixtures as a result of a muscular injury around his right knee.

Considering how vital the duo has been in midfield for Los Blancos, there will be apprehensions about whether or not the Whites will be able to make do without them versus Diego Simeone’s high-flying side. Here is a look at how exactly Tuesday’s hosts can win the initial battle.

Valverde at right back, Camavinga replaces Bellingham

Federico Valverde’s participation in the match has yet to be confirmed, although even if the Uruguayan international was to feature, he would have replaced Lucas Vazquez at right back.

With Jude Bellingham leaving a massive hole in the engine room, Eduardo Camavinga would believe he is best poised to take over in the starting eleven in the first leg. Camavinga can match Bellingham’s energy and is superb on the ball, so he could be the player entrusted with a box-to-box role.

The former Rennes midfielder will need to be careful to not pick up an early yellow card, however. He has a tendency of sliding into challenges recklessly and Atletico Madrid have the kind of players who can invite him into make a foul just minutes into the game.

Though Camavinga will not be able to replicate Bellingham’s late runs into the box, Ancelotti will be happy if he can be a reliable ball carrier by winning possession in the deeper areas although that also means Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior have to be on top of their games.

Modric must be picked ahead of Brahim

Carlo Ancelotti’s big tactical mistake in the defeat to Real Betis in La Liga was perhaps playing both, Luka Modric and Brahim Diaz, especially in the interior of the pitch. Apart from Aurelien Tchouameni, there was no ball winner in the engine room. And while the Frenchman did his job properly, Real Madrid were outdone by Isco’s brilliance.

Modric would be the ideal replacement for Dani Ceballos for the Atletico Madrid game ahead of Brahim Diaz, keeping in mind they need someone who can play balls through the defensive lines. Los Rojiblancos usually defend very deep and will likely do the same on Tuesday, so the Croat would be more useful in the line-up.

That’s not to say that Brahim would not have a place later in the game, however, as he has proven to be an asset off the bench time and again for the Whites. Against a tired Atletico midfield later in the game, his mazy dribbling as well as runs into the box will be a crucial card for Ancelotti to play.

Reduced numbers on the bench

Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric in the starting eleven mean Carlo Ancelotti’s options off the bench for the second half are relatively narrowed down. With that said, Brahim Diaz is among the guaranteed players to enter the fray while elsewhere, a lack of quality offensive substitutes may see Arda Guler and Endrick get chances.

The two youngsters have played barely any football in recent weeks but were called into action for each of Real Madrid’s last couple of games, so besides following up on their game time, there will also be the chance for Endrick and Guler to make an impression and probably some history on the biggest stage.