Real Madrid were left reeling on Wednesday by the news that muscle discomfort that Kylian Mbappe complained off in their 3-2 win over Alaves had resulted in a hamsting injury. Mbappe will miss the next three weeks of action, and his absence will have a major impact on Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the Madrid derby this Sunday against Atletico Madrid.
Mbappe will be out for the match, but Marca say that it will not alter the plan set out by the Italian. For big games like those against Atletico, Ancelotti intends to return to the four-midfielder system that was so successful last season, with Jude Bellingham arriving from deep. Without Mbappe, it will be Rodrygo Goes who takes his place alongside Vinicius Junior.
Meanwhile in midfield, Aurelien Tchuoameni, Fede Valverde and Bellingham have their spot guaranteed in the team, and the doubt is over the fourth spot. Eduardo Camavinga will return to training on Thursday, and depending on how his knee responds, Ancelotti will decide whether to include him or not. If he does not see Camavinga as sufficiently fit, then Luka Modric will take his place.
Undoubtedly Modric is a quality replacement, but the pair could scarcely cut more different figures on the pitch. The Croatian will provide Ancelotti with pausa, incisive passing and plenty of vision, better-suited to retaining the ball. Meanwhile Camavinga would allow Los Blancos to recover the ball much more often, and compete physically, favouring a more vertical style.
