Real Madrid will do all in their ability to beat Barcelona in the El Clasico, as it is their only chance to win a title this season. Regardless, the shot is not in a favorable range.
Beating this strong Barcelona side is a daunting task in itself, and even if they manage to do it, the Catalans will still be a point ahead Los Blancos. But hope is not dead yet and a turnaround not overruled.
If Carlo Ancelotti is serious about a successful exit, he needs to use the greatest players and strategies to do this task. He wouldn't want to leave the club with a record of four El Clasico defeats in a single season.
Ancelotti needs to start these three non-negotiable starters who can give Madrid the best shot at winning it this time.
Kylian Mbappe
This is easily the most important game of Mbappe's Real Madrid debut season. He has played Barcelona many times in his career but I can attest this carries the most weight.
He has been extremely good in the previous two encounters, but he must go above and beyond this time. He needs to be superb both on and off the ball in order to score some much-needed goals.
His form is good, and I hope the Celta Vigo game was only a teaser. Mbappe's position on the pitch is never questioned in games other than against Barcelona, so he must keep his rapid feet in check for Hansi Flick's offside trap.
It goes without saying that Real Madrid will require numerous goals in this game. Barcelona are fresh off their Champions League exit, having lost all aspirations of a treble, and they would not want to surrender the league title at all.
They had a good season, but ending it only with the Supercopa and Copa del Rey would disappoint. They need the La Liga title more than ever, but Real Madrid need it much more.
And Kylian Mbappe will lead the force that tries to upset them. He must make a big start.
Arda Guler
I'll start with some critique. I am convinced that Carlo Ancelotti's job would not have ended this way if he had previously trusted Guler more.
He has consistently made the management regret not believing in him early in the season in the last few games he has played.
Guler is simply wonderful. He is far too talented for his age and fits in well with Real Madrid's attacking lineup.
The boy knows his duties and does them exceedingly well. He's alert, innovative, and defensive when duty calls for.
He is also intelligent. He doesn't need much to get through even the tightest gaps, and Barcelona got a taste of that in the second half of the Copa Del Rey final when the Turkish young was substituted in.
He almost led Los Blancos to a tremendous victory, which was thwarted by a minor error. This time, he must start at any cost. He is too good on the attack, particularly with Mbappe.
If the circumstances allow, he can be the star of the show and deliver Madrid the victory they've been hoping for all season.
Dani Ceballos
This is my gamble, but I would accept it if I were the manager. To give Guler more space up front, I would start Ceballos in midfield.
Ceballos has performed well this season. His midseason injury nearly brought Madrid's midfield to a halt. And now that he's back, he's just as good as before.
Ceballos must cover for Guler in the back to allow him to attack with greater emphasis and carelessness.
Furthermore, he must perform other jobs. He, in my opinion, is the only player Real Madrid have to neutralize Barcelona's powerfule midfield duo, aside from Aurelien Tchouameni, who will most likely start in defense.
Ceballos will be responsible for multiple tasks, all of which must be completed successfully. He will be the first line of defense before the ball gets to the center backs.