How Real Madrid will line up in 2022/23
Real Madrid approach the 2022/23 season in excellent condition. They are, after all, the defending champions of La Liga and the Champions League, while they also picked up the UEFA Super Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in Finland on Wednesday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side never looked like it required major surgery – and it has not had it.
Over the course of the summer, Los Blancos have added Aurelien Tchouameni to their ranks on a big-money deal from Monaco, while Antonio Rudiger has arrived on a free transfer from Chelsea.
It means that Ancelotti’s starting XI is likely to have a very familiar look about it, particularly if the triumph in the Super Cup is anything to go by, in which he named the same XI that won the Champions League final against Liverpool.
Real Madrid starting XI for 2022/23
Up front, they will be led by Ballon d’Or favourite Karim Benzema, who will be flanked by Vini Jr and Fede Valverde.
There is a little more uncertaintly in the midfield, where Luka Modric will continue alongside Casemiro and Toni Kroos. There is, however, a clear evolutionary plan in place in this sector of the pitch, with Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga pressing for more game time. It may be that by the end of the season, one of these players has forced themselves into more regular football.
In defence, meanwhile, Rudiger faces a stern challenge to earn first-team football, with both Eder Militao and David Alaba in strong form currently. The position will need to be won by the Germany international and will not be presented to him.
Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy are the clear first picks in the full-back areas, while Thibaut Courtois will continue in goal.