Real Madrid seeks to maintain its state of happiness against Elche
The whites, sole leaders, try to prolong their euphoria after El Clásico against a rival that still hasn’t won
MADRID, 18 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid visits the Martínez Valero this Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) with the aim of prolonging its current state of happiness after its solvent victory against Barça in El Clásico against an Elche team somewhat encouraged by the slight improvement with the arrival at Jorge Almirón’s bench, but who has yet to win this season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team arrives at the duel with reinforced morale and with the confirmation of their model, which allows them to remain undefeated at the start of the year. The whites seriously prevailed (3-1) over FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu, a victory that increases the stability and confidence of the meringues.
The tactical order and the ‘punch’ was once again key in a team capable of adapting to all the moments a match goes through during the 90 minutes. A chameleon-like style that sustains the madridistas, who showed some of their main strengths against Barça, such as the dizzying transitions and the defensive solidarity of the entire group.
However, Ancelotti hopes that the mental and physical wear and tear that El Clásico entails will not be a handicap against Elche who drew (2-2) at the Bernabéu last year. Thus, the whites will have to push and pay more attention to the preparation of a game that could be cheating. “It is normal to have maximum concentration in high-level matches. But it is more difficult to have it after a match that has cost you a lot physically and mentally,” said the Italian in the previous one.
Although there could be rotations before closer commitments -Seville on Saturday at the Bernabéu and Leipzig next Tuesday with the first place in the ‘Champions’ group at stake-, it seems that Karim Benzema, new Ballon d’Or and already reconciled with the goal, he would start in attack, along with Vinicius.
The third place in the attack will be disputed by the inexhaustible Valverde, with only two substitutions so far this season and in his best moment as a madridista, and a Rodrygo who seems to have an inseparable relationship with the goal -he scored 3-1 in El Classic-. Even so, the performance would be assured, since between the four they add 22 goals at this start of the campaign.
Courtois, who continues to recover and could reappear against Sevilla this Saturday, will be absent along with Dani Ceballos, while in defense Lucas Vázquez could come in for Carvajal and Mendy would have rest, since he has only been left without playing twice. In the center of the field, Kroos, who played the 90 minutes of El Clásico, could also have a break, in favor of Camavinga.
The return of the Argentine striker Lucas Boyé, after the sanction for the direct red against Mallorca, is the best news for the franjiverde. Almirón confirmed the day before that the striker will be the ‘reference’ in attack of a team that offered the best version of the course in Mestalla, and that dreams of his first victory.
The Argentine coach appealed to the emotional aspect to give the surprise against a rival that further fueled his morale in El Clásico, and who will be faced with a scheme of five defenders, with, a priori, Pol Lirola instead of Palacios and Clerc on the wings, the order of Mascarell and Gumbau, in the center, and the verticality on the flanks of Barça player Álex Collado and Pere Milla, author of the double in Valencia.
The Martínez Valero will receive Madrid wrapped in a gigantic mural of red cardboard, which will be exhibited in the 12th minute by the club’s supporters’ clubs with the legends ‘Respect for Elche’ and ‘Basta ya’ as a sign of protest for the last arbitrations in the league matches against Mallorca and Valencia.
Almirón said that he knows that Madrid ‘is not’ the Elche League. After the visit of the European champion, Elche will start a ‘mini-championship’ against Espanyol, Getafe, Valladolid and Girona in which they will try to add that first victory that chokes them, although, perhaps, that joy can be brought forward to this Wednesday. “We are prepared,” said the coach from Elche.
ELCHE: Bay; Lirola, Verdu, Enzo Rock, Diego Gonzalez, Clerk; Collado, Mascarell, Gumbau, Pere Mile; and Boyé.
REAL MADRID: Monday; Lucas Vazquez, Militao, Rüdiger, Nacho; Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrigo, Benzema and Vinicius Jr.
–REFEREE: Gil Manzano (C. Extremeño).
–STADIUM: Manuel Martinez Valero.
–TIME: 9:00 p.m. (Movistar LaLiga).
