The first Clasico of the year has arrived. Carlo Ancelotti’s men face their second test of the pre-season, against FC Barcelona for the Soccer Champions Tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. After the 1-0 defeat against Milan, the Whites are looking to get back on track, although it will not be an easy task. In all the American Clasico, Real Madrid have never managed to beat the Catalans. Regarding the first match against the Rossoneri, Ancelotti will be able to count on three big additions: Vinicius, Militao and Rodrygo. Although the latter was in the theoretical starting eleven that Ancelotti tried out in training yesterday, only the centre-back will start, the only change the coach has made compared to the team he started against Milan. Endrick is back in the starting line-up, while Vinicius and Rodrygo will wait their turn on the bench.
Watch the pre-season match between Real Madrid and Barcelona live
Soldier, once
Arda Güler’s outstanding performance is also rewarded by Carletto. The Turk was the best recoverer for Real Madrid (5) against the seven-time European champions. Ceballos will continue to set the pace in the centre of the pitch. The Spaniard was an important piece of the midfield with 53 completed passes, four recoveries and three successful dribbles (the most together with Brahim). On the left side of the field, Brahim and Fran García will continue to provide their danger. Both players were the most differential against Milan. The Malaga player was the one who made the most successful passes in the final third of the field (19) and the one who created the most opportunities (3). His wing-mate, Fran García, was the one who shot the most (2) and completed 47 passes and also recovered four balls. Endrick will continue to be the ‘9’ for Real Madrid.
Madrid’s starting eleven in the Clasico
The starting eleven to face Barcelona in the Clasico is as follows: Courtois, Lucas Vázquez, Militao, Rüdiger, Fran García; Ceballos, Mario Martín, Modric; Arda Güler, Endrick and Brahim. Both teams have agreed to make unlimited changes, but substitutions can only be made in three windows (half-time does not count). The only ones to play the full 94 minutes against Milan were Fran García, Lucas Vázquez, Ceballos, Mario Martín and Brahim.
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After the clash against the Catalans, Real Madrid will have one last match on American soil. Chelsea await the Merengues in the early hours of 6-7 August (1:00 Spanish time) in Charlotte. After the last test in North Carolina, the Madrid squad will return to Spain. On 7 August, the internationals who have not travelled on the tour: Mendy, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Mbappé, Valverde, Carvajal and Bellingham, will be expected in Valdebebas to begin their express preparation. On 14 August, the Chamartín club will play the first title (of the seven possible) of the season: the European Super Cup in Warsaw against Atalanta.
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