Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Starting XI prediction for Supercopa 2022 semifinal
Real Madrid have rebounded from a 1-0 loss to Getafe. First, they were able to get revenge on Alcoyano with a 3-1 victory last Wednesday in the Copa del Rey Round of 32. Then, they turned in a more complete performance on Saturday night at the Santiago Bernabeu, defeating Valencia 4-1. Now, this Wednesday, Real will face rivals Barcelona for a second time this season, as the two historic LaLiga sides will square off in the semifinals of the Supercopa 2022.
Barça will do whatever they can to defeat Real Madrid, as they are obsessed with proving that they are still on that level despite all that has happened to their club. Whereas Los Blancos are the league leaders, La Blaugrana sit outside the top four Champions League slots, having dropped more points this weekend to Granada.
Here is a look at how Los Merengues could line up on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia for this high-charged Supercopa 2022 matchup.
GK Thibaut Courtois
The obvious man to start in goal. Thibaut Courtois is quietly having a season for the ages, and if Real Madrid played a less risky style of football, he would have more clean sheets to brag about. As it stands, Courtois makes a world-class save on a near-weekly basis, including one against Valencia – and a penalty stop. Andriy Lunin was great in the Copa del Rey, but Courtois is needed in every important game, such as this Clasico.
LB Ferland Mendy
Maybe Carlo Ancelotti will have a trick up his sleeve, but Madridisas should expect regular left back Ferland Mendy to start again. Mendy had an assist over the weekend against Valencia, which made up for a poor foul that led to Valencia’s only goal of the night. The former Lyon man was much better offensively this past weekend.
CB David Alaba
David Alaba was the hero in the last Clasico, scoring a sensational solo opener with that rocket of a left foot of his. The ex-Bayern star is a real general at the center of defense for Real Madrid, and after a poor afternoon against Getafe, Alaba has been rock-solid once more for Los Blancos. Alaba’s charging runs up the pitch will continue to cause Barcelona all sorts of problems.
CB Eder Militao
One of the best center backs in the world right now, Eder Militao scored last week against Alcoyano and was sturdy in defense vs. Valencia, with a few lovely long balls to boot. Militao’s speed, strength, and anticipation in defense will make him nearly unbeatable for Barcelona’s attackers. On paper, Memphis Depay, with his skill and ability to score rockets from nothing, may b the only person capable of troubling Militao from open play. But a Luuk de Jong header from a set piece could be more dangerous, as Militao has made a couple of mistakes on corners.
RB Dani Carvajal
Dani Carvajal is fully expected to return for Supercopa 2022, as per Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti himself. Lucas Vazquez has done a great job in the last three Clasicos, even scoring what turned out to be a gutsy winner in the last matchup at the Camp Nou. But there is no replacing Carvajal, who has been tremendous at times this season when healthy. Carvajal is surely itching to get back on the pitch, and he lives for games like these.