Real Madridvs.Pachuca

The main talking point is the inclusion of Kylian Mbappe, with the France international available to start, having recovered from a thigh problem.

Mbappe was initially expected to miss the contest with Pachuca, with his return instead potentially coming against Sevilla this weekend.

However, the 25-year-old has been included in the XI, while there are also spots in the side for Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo, with Ancelotti able to select his first-choice front four.

Aurelien Tchouameni is again required in the middle of the defence, with Fran Garcia at left-back, while fit-again Eduardo Camavinga gets the nod in central midfield alongside Federico Valverde.

As for Pachuca, there is a spot in the final third of the field for the experienced Salomon Rondon, who has come up with five goals in 13 appearances for the Mexican team during the 2024-25 campaign.

Oussama Idrissi, who has two goals and three assists in 16 appearances this team, is also in the starting XI for Guillermo Almada's side.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Garcia; Valverde, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe

Subs: Fran, Lunin, Asencio, Ceballos, Brahim, Endrick, Guler, Lorenzo, Morris, Vallejo, Yusi

Pachuca: Moreno; Rodriguez, Barreto, Micolta, B Gonzalez; Montiel, Pedraza; Bautista, Deossa, Idrissi; Rondon

Subs: Eulogio, Shrem; Aceves, Aguayo, Baston, Berlanga, Cabral, Dominguez, Gil Mosquera, A Gonzalez, O Gonzalez, Hernandez, Mena, Saldivar, Sanchez

Written by

Matt Law