How Real Madrid could line up against Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will need to carefully assess the condition of his squad ahead of Thursday's Copa del Rey last-16 Madrid derby with Atletico Madrid.

Last week, Los Blancos bested their near neighbours 5-3 in extra time en route to Supercopa de Espana title number 13 in Riyadh, which they clinched with a 4-1 crushing of Barcelona in the final.

Real went about their business in Saudi Arabia without any of their long-term ACL victims in Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba, while Lucas Vazquez also remains sidelined with a thigh problem.

The visitors to the Metropolitano Stadium did not suffer any serious blows in the Supercopa, but Aurelien Tchouameni was restricted to individual work on Thursday as a means of managing his workload.

Having guarded the Real goal during the Supercopa, Ancelotti has confirmed that Andriy Lunin will remain in possession of the gloves before Kepa Arrizabalaga takes over when La Liga resumes.

Due to injuries, Lunin should bark orders to an unchanged backline of Nacho, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy, although Fran Garcia is a viable option to replace the latter.

Should Ancelotti avoid taking any risks with Tchouameni's fitness, the Frenchman's international teammate Eduardo Camavinga could come in for a start, linking up with Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos and Jude Bellingham in the central areas.

Vinicius Junior's hat-trick and Rodrygo's effort propelled Real to victory over Barca in Sunday's Supercopa final, but while the former's spot ought to be safe, Ancelotti may be tempted to freshen up the attack with the inclusion of Joselu with jet lag and fatigue to take into account.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Fernandez, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Joselu, Vinicius Jr