Real Madrid predicted starting XI against Mallorca in LaLiga EA Sports

Ancelotti welcomes back a few big names as Real Madrid host Real Mallorca at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, but who will play?

Real Madrid’s squad for the game against Mallorca in LaLiga (January 3, KO 1.15 p.m. ET / 10.15 a.m. PT.) caused eyebrows to be raised the world over: new year, (almost) new squad, it seems.

It’s a team with a lot of strength going forward, but one that also has many band aids at the back. Real Madrid go into 2024 with a game that has the theme of both grand returns and major absences; they have almost have a dozen first-team players sidelined, more or less all of them concentrated in the defence: Courtois, Militão, Nacho, Alaba, Mendy and Camavinga.

Nacho is suspended after getting a red card against Alavés and Camavinga is training with the group once again and is on the verge of return.

The manager, however, will be able to look at the bright side of things: Carvajal, Vinicius Jr and Arda Güler have all returned to the squad, along with youth team centre-back Álvaro Carillo, who makes it for the fourth time this campaign.

Without three of his four centre-backs, Ancelotti must be creative in defence. Tchouaméni, as happened in October against Osasuna and at the end of the game agains Alavés, will play at the back alongside Rüdiger.

Carvajal will slot straight back in at right-back after getting over the niggling issue that kept him out at the Mendizorroza and Fran García will take up the position on the left. In goal, Ancelotti is keeping the debate alive, announcing that he will play Lunin in the game as Kepa is overcoming a cold.

More than 70,000 fans are expected at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and they will enjoy the talents of a stellar lineup in midfield. Everything points to Ancelotti