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Real Madrid Projected Lineup for El Clásico

Good news for Carlo Ancelotti: He's recovering some players. Bad news: He might have too much to choose from.

Denis Doyle

Like it or not, Ancelotti will likely have to pick a good defensive team to play against Barcelona. As he stated in his press conference, it's very difficult to keep the ball away from Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and company, so it could be better for Real Madrid to turn into a counterattacking side.

Luckily enough for him, Ancelotti has recovered every single player in the roster with the exception of Xabi Alonso. It would have been great to have Xabi against Barcelona, but the Spanish midfielder will have to wait. Considering the team is playing well with the 4-3-3 formation, Ancelotti will likely deploy that formation again. Illarramendi and Khedira will be in the midfield with Luka Modric being the most creative player on Real's midfield. The Croatian player's ability to defend is better than Isco, so Ancelotti would be smart to start him.

Gareth Bale is ready to start El Clásico, according to Ancelotti. Di María is playing really well recently and his defensive helps should please Arbeloa. Therefore, Cristiano Ronaldo could play as Real Madrid's striker, because neither Benzema nor Morata are big threats to Barcelona's defense.

All things considered, this would be Carlo's lineup:

Real Madrid Projected Starting XI: López, Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Illarramendi, Khedira, Modric, Di María, Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Who would you start?

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