Copa del Rey: Ancelotti to bench key midfield duo against Atletico Madrid
The city rivals recently met in the Spanish Super Cup where Los Blancos won after extra-time drama
Carlo Ancelotti decided to bench the key midfielder duo ahead of the Copa del Rey round of 16 match against Atletico Madrid which will be played at Metropolitano Stadium on January 18, reported MARCA on Wednesday.
The Italian will opt to bench the experienced midfield duo of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric against Diego Simeone’s men as he has learned from his past mistakes.
Los Blancos’ only loss this season came against Atletico on September 25, 2023, in La Liga where Ancelotti benched defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, starting both Kroos and Modric.
Ancelotti’s men were widely outplayed by the home side and lost 3-1. They missed Tchouameni’s energy in the midfield and were exposed defensively.
As per MARCA, Ancelotti has learned from his mistake and will go with the midfield of Eduardo Camavinga, Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde, four young guns who run relentlessly for 90 minutes.
Earlier, SPORT reported that Manchester United are plotting a shocking £150m move for Real Madrid’s star, Vinicius Junior, in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Vinicius netted a 39-minute hat-trick against arch-rivals FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on January 14 and was the centre of attention courtesy of his heroics.
As a result, he gathered interest from many clubs but United seem to be one willing to take a step in their pursuit of the Brazilian.
As per SPORT, the 20-time Premier League champions are willing to make an astounding £150m offer which, as per the report, Los Blancos may consider as they will, once again, try to buy Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain.
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