After outlasting Atalanta 3-2 on Tuesday night in the latest battle between the reigning Champions League and Europa League winners, Real Madrid will have another stern test ahead of them this weekend in Rayo Vallecano.
Although Real’s local rivals sit just 12th in the LaLiga table, Rayo are an example of the idea that, on any given day, any team in LaLiga is capable of beating anyone else, including the top clubs.
Real Madrid are within shouting distance of Barcelona at the top of the table after beating Girona 3-0, while the Blaugrana sputtered to a 2-2 draw against another decent mid-table side in Real Betis.
Before Real Madrid travel to the Vallecas on Saturday to take on Rayo, let’s take a look at how their starting lineup could look on Matchday 17 of LaLiga.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is the obvious started in goal, and the Belgian international continues to affirm his status as the very best goalkeeper in world football. He was exceptional against Atalanta, making several top-drawer saves.
LB Fran Garcia
Fran Garcia is the best option out of an unideal bunch on the left flank, as he does have the impetus to get forward and is legitimately one of the best athletes at the position in LaLiga.
The 25-year-old actually had a decent game against Atalanta based on pure effort alone, recording two tackles and three interceptions for the Merengues while completing nearly 92 percent of his pass attempts.
He’ll go up against arguably Rayo’s best player of the 2024/25 season so far, a former Real Madrid academy product in right winger Jorge de Frutos. That should be a decisive battle.
CB Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger didn’t have a particularly good game for a Real Madrid side that surrendered three expected goals against Atalanta, and, defensively speaking, were actually pretty fortunate not to lose.
The German international has been below the standard of a Real Madrid starter this season despite the widespread praise he continues to receive, as Thibaut Courtois has bailed him out numerous times.
CB Raul Asencio
Raul Asencio has been Real’s best center back this season and his return to the starting lineup after being out of the XI against Atalanta will be a welcome change. He is very assured on the ball for a 21-year-old and has legitimately been the team’s third-best player after Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior since becoming a regular in the lineup.
RB Lucas Vazquez
Lucas Vazquez had a rough day against Ademola Lookman, who dogwalked the 33-year-old veteran. If it weren’t for Ferland Mendy, Vazquez would be the worst player on Real Madrid right now, and he had better be at his best against Rayo’s experienced attacker Alvaro Garcia.
CM Luka Modric
It’s time to let Luka Modric rule the pitch against Rayo Vallecano. The 39-year-old Croatian magician has three assists this season despite making almost twice as many appearances off the bench as starts.
He is still pulling the strings offensively and working like two men defensively. Rayo actually have a good midfield for a team in the bottom half of the table, but you can trust Lukita to run circles around them.
CM Fede Valverde
Fede Valverde is an obvious must-start and has become one of the most valuable players on Real Madrid with his progression, defensive contributions, and creation.
AM Jude Bellingham
When Jude Bellingham gets to play closer to goal, good things happen for Real Madrid. The England international was stellar in the win over Atalanta, scoring a lovely goal with his left foot after making a run to get over the top of the defense.
Bellingham has scored in each of his last five LaLiga matches, stepping up, once again, as the main superstar when Vinicius Junior was injured.
LW Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior is back and hasn’t missed a beat, as he scored and assisted in the win over Atalanta, providing the game-changing ability and quality in the final third that Real Madrid lack when he’s not on the pitch.
I’ll say it again: Games like this really remind you of how far Vinicius Jr. has come, from being the guy who couldn’t buy a finish to the literally guy of the Real Madrid attack.
CF Rodrygo Goes
With Kylian Mbappe injured for a game or two, Rodrygo shifts from the right side to the middle, where, based on last season’s performance, he’s more effective.
Rodrygo excels at winning dribbling battles in tight areas and combining with teammates, which is why he’s more effective closer to the goal as a center forward. He’s also a superior finisher in these areas.
RW Arda Guler
Brahim Diaz is underrated globally and showed it on the big stage this Tuesday with an excellent all-around attacking performance, and it’s understandable why Carlo Ancelotti trusts his experience over Arda Guler in the big Champions League games.
But against Rayo Vallecano, it’s time for the more enthralling Guler to get his chance to gain experience and add to his goal tally after a very well-taken strike against Girona last weekend.
As good as Brahim is, he will always be nothing more than a key rotational player, which, of course, is still extremely valuable to Real Madrid. But Guler has a chance to be a superstar, and Real have to give him every opportunity to start so they don’t risk losing him before he truly blossoms.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He covered Real Madrid from 2019-2022 for The Real Champs as a site manager. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.