It is about time to kick off this Liga BBVA season, right? Real Madrid will face Betis in this first official match of the season, and Ancelotti will have two very difficult choices to make for this game: the goalkeeper and the right back:
I have not made my decision about the goalkeeper yet. I will not give my lineup because I haven't spoken with the team yet and I would rather talk to them first. Arbeloa played on Wednesday and Carvajal trained here, so right now Carvajal might have the edge over Arbeloa for this game.
It would be very important for Ancelotti's project to start the season with a win, but Pepe Mel's Betis will surely be a challenge. The Andalusian team had a magnificent 2012-2013 Liga BBVA season and they will not be have enough with a defensive style. Mel's Betis like to attack and Real Madrid's defensive line will need to be ready to step up.
Pepe had some troubles after his game with Portugal, but Ancelotti confirmed that he will be available. Alonso, Varane, Illarramendi and Denis will miss the game with small injuries, but all of them will be joining the squad soon enough, according to Ancelotti's words.
Marcelo will surely be the team's left back, as Coentrao will also sit this game out after he asked for a way out of the club:
Nothing has changed about the team's departures. We still need to find an answer for Coentrao because he asked not to play this game. He wants to leave. The rest of the players are happy to be here.
Ancelotti has decided not to spend the night before the game on the hotel, breaking Mourinho's tradition. It is enough to have lunch before the game for Ancelotti, and it will be interesting to see whether this has any effect on the team's mentality in the home games.
The players look ready, and if they play well, this roster has enough to beat Betis. So let's get started!
