Open Thread: September 22, 2021

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It’s Matchday!!!

Carlo Ancelotti indicated that some rotations would be made for tonight’s game against Mallorca. Camavinga is expected to get his first start in the famous white shirt, but it remains to be seen who else will start. What’s clear at this point is that Modrić, Casemiro and Valverde need to rest after playing 3 games in the last 10 days.

Here is our squad for tonight’s game. Mariano is back with the team.

A look at Mallorca’s start to the season.

Mallorca have made a fairly decent start to the campaign upon earning promotion, having lost just one of their five league outings thus far, winning and drawing two each. Luis Garcia’s side managed to hold Villarreal to a goalless draw in their most recent outing and are currently tenth in the table.

The visitors will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with 36-year-old captain Manolo Reina manning the goal. Joan Sastre and Jaume Costa ought to be the two full-backs on the right and left sides, respectively, with Martin Valjent and Brian Olivan pairing up at the centre.

Iddrisu Baba and Rodrigo Battaglia should line up in the centre of the park, with their primary objective being to sit deep and shield the defence while launching quick out-balls to the wingers, who ought to be, Real Madrid loanee Takefusa Kubo and Amath Ndiaye, who will look to hit the hosts at pace and catch them cold on the break.

Dani Rodriguez, who has scored and assisted a goal so far this season, will be one of the two forwards, with him being most likely partnered by Villarreal loanee Fer Nino.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Reina; Sastre, Valjent, Olivan, Costa; Kubo, Battaglia, Baba, Ndiaye; Rodriguez, Nino

Sanitas agreement and a few other titbits.

Tell me I’m not the only one shocked about the club signing a new agreement with Sanitas? For another three seasons that too. Anyway Lucas reported the news as it was made official.

Ancelotti made some interesting comments that could indicate where he intends to deploy Camavinga - “Camavingas best position? He’s always played as a pivot but he has qualities to play further. He can cover all positions in midfield, he’s a complete midfielder. He has everything to be a Real player. He plays with joy & is already learning spanish with his team.”

He also pretty much indicated that Vini is undroppable at the moment. “He is 20, he can definitely play 2 games in a row. It’s difficult to bench someone like him now.” Ancelotti also went on to state that it wouldn’t have mattered to Vini if Mbappe had signed as Vini is very confident now.

Finally the coach addressed the Asensio issue - “Asensio’s situation? I think all the players know their place in the team, it would be abnormal if he was happy with his situation. Isco unhappy? that’s good, Jovic unhappy? that’s good - I don’t like my players happy when they’re not playing.”

Anyone low-key keeping an eye on this guy?