Real Madrid Starting XI Prediction vs. Atletico Madrid for LaLiga’s Matchday 35
LW Vinicius Jr.
While I could see Vinicius Jr. getting some rest with Rodrygo Goes as a possible starter on the left wing, Carlo Ancelotti tends to lean towards starting his all-important left winger. Vini could get rest in later LaLiga fixtures, as any Derbi is still a big, big game for Real Madrid, regardless of their status as LaLiga champions or Champions League finalists.
Vini Jr. has been incredibly clutch this season for Los Blancos, but even in past seasons when he was not as influential, he would manage to come up with a key play against Atleti. Perhaps the young man will leave us dazzled at the Wanda one more time.
CF Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema was cool from the spot in another decisive performance for Real Madrid, sealing the team’s place in the Champions League Final this year. The Frenchman has a staggering 26 goals and 11 assists in LaLiga this season, averaging 1.9 key passes and 1.1 dribbles completed per game as the most creative striker on the planet – and still one of the two most clinical alongside Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.
Although it would make sense to rest Benzema against Atleti, do Real really want to play an emotionally heated Derbi at the Wanda without him? Mariano Diaz, Gareth Bale, Isco, Marco Asensio, and Luka Jovic are possible options, but Carlo Ancelotti will probably feel that he needs Benzema.
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RW Rodrygo Goes
No matter what, you should lock Rodrygo Goes into the starting lineup, whether he gets the nod on the left or right wing. (And one day, I would love to see him get a run at striker.)
Rodrygo is the clear man of the hour after his Champions League-saving brace within a minute at the death of the second leg against Manchester City. And the Brazilian had a brace last weekend in LaLiga in a 4-0 win over Espanyol. He was decisive in other matches, too, including a win over Osasuna and another clutch showing at the Bernabeu in the Champions League quarterfinal.
Nobody would put it past Rodrygo to capture lightning in a bottle again and score a goal – or two – at the Wanda to break Atleti hearts.