Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly set to test out his new formation idea as Los Blancos take on AC Milan in a friendly on their USA tour.
The game at the Rose Bowl Stadium, California, will be Real Madrid’s first of their tour in the USA, and is set to feature Jude Bellingham in the famous white shirt for the very first time.
The departure of Karim Benzema has meant that Ancelotti may have to innovate to replace the output of the Ballon d’Or holder, and he is now set to experiment with a diamond formation in the Milan game.
A report from AS has claimed that wingers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are set to move to the centre as split strikers, with Bellingham at the tip of the diamond.
Their predicted XI for the clash between two European giants will see Eduardo Camavinga return to a midfield role, with Bellingham the only new signing set to feature from the start.
Predicted XI: Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Nacho, Ferland Mendy; Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham; Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo.
How will this shape work?
The idea behind this formation is to get Vinicius and Rodrygo into more central areas, and increase both their scoring outputs. They will find themselves in more scoring positions with a lot of creativity behind them, rather than playing off Benzema as a focal point.
Bellingham’s role is one to watch with great interest. Real Madrid will have seen his strong output from last season, which saw him score 14 times, and may believe that he can increase this further, and can utilise his excellent ability in the final third.
He may be given more freedom to roam than the other midfielders in this formation and will use his excellent vision and ball-carrying ability to help provide service to the front two, as well as being able to attack the box himself.
Real have a number of friendlies against tough opponents to test this shape out, and may be forced to stick with it in the season if they cannot secure a deal for a striker, with Kylian Mbappe still top of their wish-list.