Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced his official squad for the highly anticipated match against city rivals Rayo Vallecano. The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will host this Madrid derby on Sunday evening, as part of the 22nd round of La Liga fixtures.
The context of the match and its importance in the title race
Real Madrid enters this match at the top of the table, aiming for another victory to solidify their position and distance themselves from their closest rivals. Every match at this stage of the season is of paramount importance, as dropping points is unacceptable given the fierce competition for the league title. Ancelotti and his players understand that derby matches, even against teams not vying for the title, have a special character and demand intense concentration to avoid any surprises that could derail the team's successful run.
History of encounters and Rayo Vallecano challenge
Historically, Real Madrid has clearly held the advantage in matches against Rayo Vallecano, especially at the Santiago Bernabéu. However, Los Frangeriojos (the Red Stripes) are known for their fighting spirit and ability to upset the big teams, making this a formidable challenge. Rayo Vallecano relies on a high press and direct style of play, a tactic that could cause problems for Real Madrid's defense if not handled with caution.
List details and key absences
Ancelotti's squad list included the team's biggest stars, most notably the brilliant attacking duo of Brazilian Vinicius Junior and English star Jude Bellingham, a key player in the Italian coach's plans. However, the team continues to suffer from significant absences, particularly in defense, where goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defenders Eder Militao and David Alaba are all sidelined with long-term injuries. German defender Antonio Rudiger recently joined the list with a muscle injury, further straining the available defensive options.
The full squad list for the match against Rayo Vallecano:
The list included 21 players, and it was as follows:
- Goalkeepers: Andriy Lunin, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Fran Gonzalez.
- Defense: Dani Carvajal, Nacho Fernandez, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia.
- Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Dani Ceballos, Arda Güler.
- Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Joselu, Brahim Diaz.
The Merengue fans are looking forward to seeing their team put on a strong performance and collect the three points to continue their steady journey towards regaining the Spanish league title that was missing from their trophy cabinet last season.
