Real Madrid: The Possible Starting XIs vs. Rayo Vallecano

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Real Madrid is currently sitting in seventh place with one draw against Racing Santander and a loss against Levante. The team looked uninspired, and quite simply, were not playing like they were in the beginning of the season. 

Mourinho has been sticking to his regular 4-2-3-1 formation throughout, but little chances were created. Possibly, he will change it after these bad results.

These are the available members of the squad: Casillas, Adán, Mejías, Ramos, Arbeloa, Marcelo, Varane, Albiol, Özil, Alonso, Callejón, Di María, Khedira, Lass, Kaká, Granero, Ronaldo, Benzema, Higuaín. 

4-2-3-1 with Ramos in the Center

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Lineup:

Arbeloa Ramos Varane/Albiol Marcelo

     Alonso  Lass/Khedira

Di Maria  Ozil/Kaka    Ronaldo

       Benzema/Higuain

Ramos started his football career at centre-back, and he seems more comfortable at his position.

However, this would be especially conservative and defensive from Mourinho, and that doesn't seem like the best idea against newly-promoted side Rayo Vallecano. 

4-2-3-1 with Albiol and Varane in the Center

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Lineup:

Ramos  Varane Albiol  Marcelo

        Alonso  Lass/Khedira

Di Maria   Ozil/Kaka   Ronaldo

          Benzema/Higuain

This would be a risky move from Mourinho with Varane, despite his great performance against Racing Santander, he's still only a teenager.

Him partnered with Albiol, who has fallen out under Mourinho, could be disastrous. 

 

4-1-4-1 with Kaka and Ozil in Center Midfield

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Lineup:

(Defense Possibilities from earlier slide)

           Alonso/Lass/Khedira

Di Maria       Ozil     Kaka       Ronaldo 

         Higuain/Benzema

This would be a very bold attacking side from Mourinho with only one defensive midfielder. Chances on goal would certainly increase in this situation.

However, the chemistry between Ozil and Kaka is in question, as they seem lost when they are on the field together. If Mourinho can get rid of this detachment, there will be goals galore!

Most Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

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Lineup:         

               Casillas

Arbeloa Ramos Varane Marcelo

            Lass Alonso

Di Maria     Kaka      Ronaldo

Higuain

This will be the most probable line up for the match. I would put Ramos and Varane in the center because Mourinho has left Albiol out of the squad in the past few matches for a "coaching decision." Varane looked great against Racing Santander.

Although Khedira and Granero seem much more capable with their composure in the midfield, these players aren't in favor with Mourinho either. The Portuguese coach publicly blamed Khedira for the loss against Levante, and Granero has also been previously left out due to a "coaching decision."

Although Ozil is much more capable than Kaka at the moment, the German seemed out of sorts in the past two games, possibly he's in need for a rest. For this reason, Higuaín should be included because of his better chemistry with Kaka, and he seems much more lethal than Benzema at the moment.

Which formation do you think Mourinho should use?