Just 2 spots up for grabs in Ancelotti's first squad

Posted Saturday, August 17, 2013 by Marca.com

Ancelotti is facing up to the problem that all managers dream about. Real Madrid will get its league campaign underway against Betis, and only 18 names can be included in the match-day squad for the game at the Bernabéu.

The Italian has to choose from a massive squad of talented players. The reinforcements the club brought in over the summer can only complicate his task, since they have added skills to the team in every position. It seems that 16 of those spots for the game this coming Sunday are already certainties and there are just two more up for grabs.

In goal, Casillas and Diego López are a certainty. In defence, Arbeloa, Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho and Marcelo appear to have earned a spot. In the middle, the big surprise is Casemiro, who'll likely feature as well as Khedira and Modric. The players who have been used most heavily up front during the pre-season are Cristiano Ronaldo, Özil, Benzema, Isco and Di María.

This means there are just two more places left to clear up, and they could prove decisive for the future of some players. For yet another summer, Kaká hasn't wanted to listen to offers from other clubs and he'll carry on trying to make it as a Madrid player. If he's not included in the squad for the opening game, then it could mean that Ancelotti doesn't have him in his long-term plans though, and he might seriously consider moving on.

Jesé and Morata also have a lot at stake. The youth players want to earn some playing time, but if they don't get in they could always spend some time growing and learning their trade with another team. Xabi Alonso, Varane, Illaramendi, once they recover from injury, and Bale, if he arrives, will all increase the competition for playing time even more.