Real Madrid face Arsenal in the quarterfinal of the Champions League on Tuesday. The first leg is at the Emirates Stadium in London, and Real Madrid would need a brilliant result against the English side, especially after such a horrible loss to Valencia on Saturday afternoon.
Real Madrid have a bunch of players who have to start against Arsenal. There are more than three, of course, but these are the three doubts Ancelotti may have, and why there should not be any.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Courtois is trying his hardest to be available for the match against Arsenal on Tuesday. There are not many people who would even consider starting Andriy Lunin over Courtois, and Ancelotti usually is not one of them, but due to fitness issues, it may force the coach's hand.
Ancelotti must start Courtois. Arsenal are a brilliant side in corners and set pieces, and if there is one glaring weakness in Lunin's game, it is his inability to handle set pieces as well as he does other things.
Courtois is much better in that sense, and if both are the equal amount of fit, Courtois simply has to start. Real Madrid could get cooked in those set piece opportunities, and Courtois is the best player to limit that to an extent.
Lunin is a great goalkeeper who is also fighting for availability in the Arsenal game, but there is only one answer if Real Madrid want to win.
RB Fede Valverde
Valverde is not a right-back, but for this specific game, he should be. It should not even be a doubt that Valverde has to be Real Madrid's right-back against Arsenal.
Ancelotti just cannot start someone who cannot do the job against Leganes or Valencia. Real Madrid need to put their foot down and keep Valverde out of position until next season - at least in the big games.
Lucas Vazquez has shown that he can struggle in these games - he was one big reason why Real Madrid lost 5-2 to Barcelona in January, and why Real Madrid have struggled on the right side in literally every single game.
Starting Valverde will provide some stability and defensive astuteness that could go a long way against a team like Arsenal.
CM Luka Modric
Modric may not be a nailed-on starter this season due to some decline and physical limitations - but he can still do the job if called upon.
Real Madrid tend to not start him in consecutive games, especially after just two or three days of rest, but they might have to this time around.
I have chosen Modric in this list for three reasons. One, is that if he starts, that means Valverde is starting as the right-back, which is what must happen.
The second reason is that Real Madrid could use him in Dani Ceballos' absence, especially if Valverde is playing as a right-back. Modric is not so good at some things now, but one thing he can do all day and all night is control games, which is essentially what Real Madrid miss without Ceballos.
The third and final reason is balance. Real Madrid manager Ancelotti was clear about the team being more top-heavy this season, and if he does not start as a midfielder, that means Brahim Diaz starts.
That would mean three attackers and a more attack-focused midfielder in Jude Bellingham, which would disrupt the balance of this team.
Real Madrid need to worry about these things, and focus on what will make them win against a great team like Arsenal.