Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make changes to the formation on Saturday as his side travel to Girona for a must-win La Liga game.

This means that the Italian will have to leave Raul Asencio and Dani Ceballos out of the lineup compared to last time.

Los Blancos are under pressure after big defeats to Liverpool and Athletic Club in the Champions League and La Liga respectively and their manager believes he is being unfairly criticized.

“The team is not playing its best and, as always in football, the coach bears the greatest responsibility.”

“Still, I think you criticize me too much. Maybe you’re tired of me. I’m not tired. Criticism is acceptable and I understand it. Sometimes it’s fuel,” he said at a press conference before Saturday’s game.

With title rivals FC Barcelona in position to be up to seven points ahead by kick-off in Montilivi, although Madrid still have two games in hand, Ancelotti is expecting a “complicated” game in Catalonia.

“Girona is doing well. They are in the Champions League and they compete very well. We have to use this as an opportunity,” emphasized Ancelotti, who will change his line-up for the occasion.

While it was a 4-4-2 in the 2-1 defeat against Athletic Club in San Mames, Ancelotti will line up a 4-3-3 against Michel’s men.

He struggled last time out, but it’s not exactly the same defensive line protecting Thibaut Courtois’ goal, although Fran Garcia, Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vazquez all get commitments.

After an unforgettable night in the Basque Country, Aurelien Tchouameni still takes Raul Asencio’s place.

Jude Bellingham is in midfield alongside Fede Valverde and in front of Luka Modric.

The reshuffle means there is space for right-wingers Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler to team up with a Kylian Mbappe, who Ancelotti admits is not at his best up front because Roodrygo had to be discarded.

Update: FC Barcelona later drew 2-2 at Real Betis, meaning Madrid can move within two points of their title rivals with a win.