For the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against RCD Mallorca, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make a number of changes to his starting XI compared to the one he last played in the Copa del Rey against Deportivo Minera.

In the latter clash, a 5-0 win that set up a round of 16 showdown against Celta Vigo, Ancelotti gave two La Fabrica talents their debuts, while players like Endrick rarely featured in the starting lineup.

But for the game in Saudi Arabia, where victory means facing eternal rivals FC Barcelona in the decider – after the Catalans beat the Basques 2-0 on Wednesday – the Italian will face last year’s Copa del Rey runners-up compete with full force.

Ancelotti is very familiar with Mallorca and promised his side’s approach to the game “will not change” despite it being a Super Cup game and not a La Liga game.

“We know the opponent very well and they know us. It’s very competitive, they caused us a lot of problems in La Liga. They have good qualities and can fight for the game.”

“I don’t want to compare what has changed with (Javier) Aguirre’s team,” he said at another point in a pre-match press conference where Ancelotti spoke out against Vinicius’ two-game ban, which will not be served must win the Supercup.

“They defend very well, like all (Jagoba) Arrasate teams. They capitalize on the value of their players. That’s my idea of ​​​​what a coach should be: to exploit the virtues of the players,” Ancelotti added, referring to Aguirre. As his successor, the Mexican takes over the management of his country’s national team.

Although he often criticized the busy schedule in modern football, Ancelotti stressed that “this team keeps the focus and concentration very high when it comes to a title.”

“We handled this time well. We had a week of rest and took the opportunity to rest and come back feeling good and motivated.”

This allows him to field his strongest team considering injuries.

It consists of Thibaut Courtois in goal, protected by a defensive line of Ferland Mendy at left-back, Toni Rüdiger and Aurelien Tchouameni at center-back and captain Lucas Vazquez at right-back.

Eduardo Camavinga is joined by Fede Valverde in a double pivot. But more advanced is Jude Bellingham, flanked by wingers Rodrygo and Vinicius on the right and left.

The only striker to wear the number 9, Kylian Mbappe is aiming for his third title with Madrid since joining on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Starting XI for Real Madrid vs. Mallorca: Courtois; Mendy, Rüdiger, Tchouameni, Vazquez; Camavinga, Valverde; Vinicius, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Mbappe