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Real Madrid fans on social media questioned Carlo Ancelotti's decision to include Lucas Vazquez in their starting lineup to face Pachuca. The Spanish giants are in Qatar, where they will play in the final of the Intercontinental Cup at the Lusail Stadium today (December 18).
Carlo Ancelotti has opted for a strong team, with an attacking trio of Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo Goes. In the midfield, Jude Bellingham will play alongside Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga. In defense, Fran Garcia and Lucas Vazquez will flank Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni. Thibaut Courtois starts in goal.
However, fans are unhappy about Lucas Vazquez, who will start for Real Madrid in the right-back slot. Carlo Ancelotti has rather limited options in that position, with key player Dani Carvajal out of contention due to injury. Vazquez, who has not particularly impressed the fans in his 20 appearances this season, has replaced Carvajal.
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The Bernabeu faithful shared their complaints about Vazquez with comments like these on social media platform X:
"What does Lucas Vazquez need to do to hold bench?" one fan demanded.
"I love this [starting lineup], but seeing Vazquez in the first eleven is not good [at all]" another fan complained.
"Perfect lineup except Lord Vazquez. Hopefully their LW takes it easy on us😭" another fan cried.
"Ah sh*t, here we go again. Lucas Vazquez is starting." a fan added.
"Watch Pachuca score through Vazquez" another predicted.
Carlo Ancelotti warns Real Madrid not to underestimate Pachuca
Carlo Ancelotti has warned his Real Madrid squad to refrain from underestimating their opponents Pachuca. The Spanish giants are widely expected to see off their Mexican counterparts, who will look to win, despite being underdogs.
Ahead of the game, Ancelotti revealed that his players were "aware of the challenges." He told the press(via Tribal Football):
“We're excited to be here because it shows we've done a fantastic job... We're really excited, as ever, and we'll do our best to win it and take the trophy to Madrid, though of course we're aware of the challenges."
He also spoke about the recent success he has enjoyed with Real Madrid, having won the UEFA Champions League last season:
“I'm realising how important it is to be achieving all this success with this club. I feel honoured to have done a good job here and I want to continue doing so. It's an honour for me to be compared to Miguel Muñoz and the other coaches who have had the good fortune to coach the best club in the world."
Real Madrid have had a topsy-turvy start to the season. In LaLiga, they have won just 11 games out of 17, keeping them in third place behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
