Real Madrid – Valencia: Carlo Ancelotti’s Official Starting XI

With the race for the La Liga title entering its decisive phase, Real Madrid prepares to host Valencia at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium this Saturday. As the clock ticks toward kick-off in this Matchday 30 fixture, head coach Carlo Ancelotti has officially released his starting eleven, turning a few heads with his choices—particularly in goal.

Just days after securing their ticket to the final of the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid finds itself back on home soil, determined to keep the momentum alive. With only eight matches remaining in the season, every point is gold dust, and Ancelotti knows there’s no room for error if Los Blancos are to dethrone current leaders Girona.

This weekend, the Bernabéu faithful will witness a blend of youth and experience as Ancelotti makes some tactical shifts, partly driven by injuries and partly by necessity ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semifinal clash against Arsenal in London.

The most significant change—and arguably the most talked-about—comes between the posts. With Andriy Lunin nursing an injury sustained earlier this week, and Thibaut Courtois still not fully recovered from his long-term absence, 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez has been handed the gloves. Making his professional debut under the immense pressure of La Liga, the towering 2-meter-tall Spaniard will start in goal against Valencia.

Ancelotti’s decision to place his faith in the academy product shows the club’s continued commitment to nurturing young talent while also trusting the system to protect a debutant in a high-stakes fixture.

Defensively, Gonzalez will be shielded by a backline that includes Fran Garcia on the left, Lucas Vazquez on the right, and a central duo of Antonio Rüdiger and Aurélien Tchouaméni. It’s worth noting that Tchouaméni, typically a midfielder, is being tested in a deeper role—once again highlighting his growing importance to this team due to his versatility.

The midfield sees another slight tweak, with Federico Valverde deployed in the defensive midfielder role, effectively stepping in for Tchouaméni. Ancelotti has opted to preserve the Frenchman for the Champions League clash in midweek. In front of Valverde, the experienced Luka Modric and rising superstar Jude Bellingham will serve as the creative and transitional engines in the middle of the park.

Many expected Bellingham to be rested today, given the demanding calendar and the magnitude of the upcoming Arsenal match. However, Ancelotti’s faith in the Englishman’s resilience and influence is evident—he starts again, likely with instructions to manage his intensity throughout the match.

In attack, the trio of Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappé looks set to terrorize Valencia’s backline. Diaz continues to grow in confidence, regularly contributing with his flair and directness. Vinicius remains a nightmare for defenders on the left wing, while Mbappé, currently in blistering form, enters this clash with five goals in his last three La Liga matches—against Leganés, Villarreal, and Rayo Vallecano.

This attacking trident combines explosive pace, unpredictable dribbling, and lethal finishing—everything Ancelotti needs to keep the scoreboard ticking. Fans will be eager to see how well this trio gels today, especially with Mbappé beginning to look increasingly comfortable in white.

Valencia, meanwhile, come into this encounter struggling near the bottom of the table, sitting 15th with 7 wins, 10 draws, and 12 defeats. Though they’ve shown glimpses of resilience this season, they remain a fragile unit, particularly when playing away. However, as history has taught us, Valencia always brings an edge to their meetings with Real Madrid, often raising their level in these historic matchups.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, boast an impressive 13-game unbeaten streak in La Liga—11 of them victories. This form speaks volumes about the consistency and tactical cohesion Ancelotti has built over the course of the campaign. Every match from now till the end of the season is a final, and with the title still within reach, today’s fixture could be another pivotal moment.

Here is Real Madrid’s confirmed starting XI for the match against Valencia:
Fran Gonzalez – Fran Garcia, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antonio Rüdiger, Lucas Vazquez – Federico Valverde, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham – Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé.

The decision to start Modric over Eduardo Camavinga may raise some eyebrows, but the Croatian’s calmness in possession and ability to dictate tempo could be vital against a compact Valencia setup.

Social media is already buzzing with reactions to Ancelotti’s lineup, particularly the bold decision to start Gonzalez in goal. Supporters are rallying behind the young goalkeeper, eager to see a new Madridista take his first steps in what could be a memorable career.

Real Madrid’s coaching staff will be closely watching the balance between intensity and energy conservation in this match, knowing full well that the stakes will rise significantly next week when they take on Premier League giants Arsenal.

For now, all eyes are on this Saturday evening clash. The Bernabéu will be packed, the atmosphere electric, and expectations sky-high. Real Madrid must deliver—not just for the title race, but to maintain the fear factor that has recently returned under Ancelotti’s command.

Stay tuned as we bring you full match coverage, player ratings, and post-match reactions. Will young Fran Gonzalez rise to the occasion? Will Mbappé add to his goal tally? One thing is certain—when Madrid play under the lights of the Bernabéu, the world watches.