Real Madrid will face their toughest test of the season so far, as they travel to Naples to face Serie A Champions Napoli tonight.
In an important Champions League group stage match, Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping for a positive result to set Los Blancos up well for qualification, but they will need to be at their best to beat Napoli.
Real were excellent as they ended Girona’s unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 away win on Saturday, and a similar performance tonight will be needed, although there are likely to be a number of changes to the starting XI.
Real Madrid’s rotation
Saturday’s match saw Real Madrid line up with Eduardo Camavinga at left-back for the first time since last season, ahead of Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy.
The Frenchman was very impressive in the role, and could be set to continue there tonight, with Luka Modric returning to midfield.
The “world-class” Croatian was an unused substitute for the last two games in a row, breaking an 11-year-long personal record, and raising concern within the media about his role in the team.
However, the 38-year-old looks set to start tonight, with it likely that Ancelotti rested him specifically for this fixture at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Despite scoring at the weekend, striker Joselu looks set to be dropped again, with Vinicius Junior returning from injury to partner the out-of-form Rodrygo upfront.
How could Real Madrid line up against Napoli?
With Nacho now suspended for Saturday’s match against Osasuna, it is likely that the Spaniard will start tonight in place of the injured David Alaba.
Ancelotti will continue with the midfield diamond formation, with star player Jude Bellingham playing in an advanced role, and Dani Carvajal also looks set to start following a recent injury.
Real Madrid predicted XI vs Napoli: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho, Eduardo Camavinga; Aurelien Tchouameni, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo