Leaked Real Madrid XI reveals Carlo Ancelotti's planned changes against Arsenal

A leaked Real Madrid XI has revealed Carlo Ancelotti is set to make significant changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Arsenal last week.

According to Diario AS, Luka Modric will drop to the bench while Eduardo Camavinga will sit out through suspension, but the two changes in personnel will see others in defence and midfield reshuffled.

Lucas Vazquez, who came on for Modric last week, is expected to line up at right-back, allowing Federico Valverde back into a more familiar midfield role, while former Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos will replace the suspended Camavinga.

• Arsenal closing in on Martin Zubimendi

• Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal: A look back on the Gunners' famous win

It means that Jude Bellingham will be the only member of the Real midfielder to retain his place, and when asked what word he’d heard the most often in the changing room over the last week was, Bellingham replied ‘remontada (comeback)’.

It’s a word that’s become to be associated with the Spanish giants over the last few years, particularly for their European exploits.

In all three of their knockout matches en route to the 2022 final, Real Madrid looked down and out, coming back each time to progress, while they were on the verge of being dumped out in the semi-finals by Bayern Munich last term before two late Joselu goals.

But despite their history in this competition, Arsenal should have little to fear. Los Blancos haven’t quite looked the same side this season and are actually scoring fewer goals than they did last term despite the addition of Kylian Mbappe.

Real Madrid aren’t able to control games in the same way as they did with Toni Kroos in midfield, and for all their star power up front, there’s a lack of penetration against sides happy to sit in.

Ancelotti’s men would prefer to sit deep themselves and hit sides on the counter attack, using Mbappe and Vinicius Jr’s pace to devastating effect, but they’ll have to come out and have a go at Arsenal on Wednesday night.

The Gunners don’t just hold a 3-0 lead but have been superb defensively in the UEFA Champions League this season, conceding just six goals in their 11 games, and it’s not hard to envisage Mikel Arteta formulating a gameplan that will stifle Real’s forwards.

On paper, Arsenal should have little problem in reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 2009, but Arteta admitted the history is hard to ignore.

While Arteta denied his side have any fear of Wednesday’s opponents, he did talk about “respect, admiration and values, an inspiration for any team and any manager,” while Ancelotti will be sure to remind his players that they’ve come through not-dissimilar scenarios plenty of times in the past.

To bet on the UEFA Champions League, check out our betting hubs with everything you need to know including latest fixtures, odds, news, offers and guides.

Liam Williams

• Arsenal F.C.
• Real Madrid CF
• UEFA Champions League
• European Football
• • 
  •