Breaking the cycle in the 11
The sanctions, the forced breaks and the rotations have caused Ancelotti to draw a true revolution in the eleven for the match against Elche, in the delayed match of the last day (for the Club World Cup) in which he can cut the advantage of eleven points that Barcelona now leads (with one more game). The main proper names of this revolution are those of Militao (who returns after his last injury), Nacho, who becomes strong as a central defender, Alaba (plays on the side), Ceballos (returns to ownership), Camavinga (he returns to the midfield) and Asensio (takes advantage of Vinicius’s suspension due to suspension).
As you can see, the rosary of names that are in the news in Ancelotti’s eleven is endless. The first surprise comes at the back, where the coach finally dispenses with Camavinga as a winger. Although the Frenchman had performed very well in the position in recent games, in the final of the Mundialito he starred in some play that questioned his value for that demarcation. And there Ancelotti prefers the experience of Alaba, who knows perfectly the mechanisms of the demarcation.
“Tchou” is the name of the midfield
In the center of the field rests Tchouameni, who was already a starter in the Mundialito final, but also Kroos (he did not make the list due to gastroenteritis) and Modric. Ceballos and Valverde will lead the team backed by Camavinga. And in the attack there were no surprises. Benzema, who returned to start in the final against Al Hilal, continues his progression and will be escorted by Asensio and Rodrygo. The latter resumes the position in which he made himself known at Santos before Madrid signed him.