Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will be forced to make strange selection choices when his men head across town to Leganes for a La Liga clash on Sunday. Additionally, two midfielders get rare starting nods.

This is due to the numerous injuries suffered by the Italian’s depleted team, with three players suffering knocks in the first half after a 4-0 win over Osasuna last time out.

Dani Carvajal previously suffered a cruciate ligament rupture, which also ended Eder Militao’s season. With the Spaniard’s stand-in Lucas Vazquez out for a month, midfielder Fede Valverde will have to step up and shift to right-back.

Next to him is Raul Asencio, who replaced Militao against Osasuna and provided Jude Bellingham with a quick assist to score his first goal of the 2024/2025 season.

The rest of the defensive line is completed by Ancelotti’s only senior natural centre-back in Toni Rudiger, who has Fran Garcia on his left.

In midfield, with Aurelien Tchouameni linked to Manchester United on the sick list, Eduardo Camavinga is the only pivot behind Dani Ceballos and Bellingham.

At the top, with Rodrygo – you guessed it – unavailable due to a niggle, Kylian Mbappé is flanked by left and right winger Vinicius Jr. and Arda Guler.

Madrid are now able to reduce a deficit at the top of the table, which was once as high as six points, to just one if it wins its two games, thanks to leaders FC Barcelona’s collapse at Celta Vigo , Madrid is “good” and has “come back from the international break in good form” without any problems” said Ancelotti.

“Those who have been here have worked well. We have to confirm the good feelings of the last match. We want to start well. Hopefully a good match will come out of it,” the manager added at his pre-match press conference, where he also talked about speculations. about Mbappé’s mental health is “too ugly”.

Although Barcelona have failed to win their last few games in La Liga, Madrid could make it two wins by beating Leganes, which would boost morale before traveling to Anfield for a Champions League clash with Premier League leader Liverpool.