As Real Madrid prepares to face Las Palmas in their third match of the La Liga season, they find themselves under early pressure. With Barcelona currently leading the league and Madrid behind by five points after dropping two points against Mallorca, every match counts.
Tonight, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad travels to Gran Canaria, a venue where they have had success in recent years, although they secured a narrow victory there last season with a late goal from Aurelien Tchouameni. Meanwhile, Las Palmas has had a challenging start, managing only one point from two matches, with a loss and a draw.
Ahead of the match, there are several key points to consider.
The first is the necessity for squad rotations. Given the packed schedule, Ancelotti will need to manage player fatigue effectively. Ferland Mendy is expected to return to the starting lineup, possibly taking the place of Fran Garcia at left-back, while Lucas Vazquez may step in for Dani Carvajal at right-back. There could also be an opportunity for Luka Modric to make his first start of the season, potentially replacing Federico Valverde.
The second crucial talking point revolves around the decision between Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz to fill in for the injured Jude Bellingham. Guler has already impressed in his appearances, while Diaz made a significant impact in his last match, scoring once and assisting another goal in just 21 minutes. Ancelotti now faces a challenging choice: select one to start or include both by giving Diaz a spot on the right wing and resting Rodrygo Goes.
Lastly, Kylian Mbappe is under growing pressure to deliver results. The star forward, who joined Madrid with high expectations, initially impressed on his debut but has struggled to convert opportunities in recent games, failing to find the net. As he gears up for his third La Liga match, the spotlight remains on him to make his mark and score his first goal for the club, with Gran Canaria presenting a potential opportunity for him to do so.