As Real Madrid gear up to face Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the 2024/25 season, manager Carlo Ancelotti is facing injury concerns for key players such as Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo. However, Brahim Diaz is fit and available, and Ancelotti has praised Jude Bellingham's contribution to the team. Ancelotti is expected to line Real Madrid up in a 4-4-2 formation with a midfield diamond, with Bellingham playing in an advanced role and Andriy Lunin replacing the injured Courtois in goal. With the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior leading the attack, Real Madrid will aim to go level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
As the eagerly anticipated first El Clasico of the 2024/25 season approaches, Real Madrid are preparing to face their arch-rivals Barcelona with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has been dealt a blow ahead of the clash, with key players Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo facing injury concerns. Courtois, the Belgian international goalkeeper, is out with a knee injury, while Rodrygo, the Brazilian forward, is nursing a hamstring problem.
Despite the injuries, Ancelotti has been buoyed by the impressive preseason performances of Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder, signed from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, has quickly established himself as a vital cog in the Real Madrid machine.
Ancelotti is expected to field Real Madrid in a 4-4-2 formation with a midfield diamond. Bellingham is likely to play in an advanced role, with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos anchoring the midfield. Andriy Lunin will replace Courtois in goal.
The attack will be led by the formidable duo of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, who have both been in scintillating form this season. Real Madrid will be aiming to go level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a victory.
Real Madrid won both El Clasico matches in the 2023/24 season, defeating Barcelona 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu and 2-0 at Camp Nou. Karim Benzema scored in both matches for Real Madrid.
Barcelona won both matches against Real Madrid in the 2022/23 season, claiming a 3-1 victory at Camp Nou and a 4-0 triumph at the Santiago Bernabeu. Robert Lewandowski scored four goals in the two fixtures.
A: The first El Clasico of the 2024/25 season will be played on September 30, 2024.
A: Carlo Ancelotti is the manager of Real Madrid.
A: Karim Benzema is the captain of Real Madrid.
A: Lionel Messi is the record goalscorer in El Clasico history, with 26 goals.
A: The most common scoreline in El Clasico matches is 1-0, with Real Madrid and Barcelona each winning 12 times by that score.
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