Real Madrid is finalizing preparations to visit Getafe with the clear objective of staying in the race for the LaLiga title. However, it's impossible not to have one eye on the Copa del Rey final against a Barcelona side that outplayed them in the first two Clásicos of the season. Therefore, it's clear that Carlo Ancelotti needs to make some adjustments… and one of Real Madrid’s top stars could be sacrificed.

Ancelotti considers changes to face Barcelona

Since his first stint at Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti has been obsessed with using the word “balance” in every press conference. It's a key aspect of the game that cost Real Madrid dearly in the 2014–15 season after the departure of Xabi Alonso—ironically, the current top candidate to replace him on the Santiago Bernabéu bench. And the same issue has resurfaced this season following the retirement of Toni Kroos, who was never naturally replaced.

In his second spell, the formation that has brought him the most success at Real Madrid in recent seasons has been the 4-4-2. It’s the system he used to win both LaLiga and the Champions League in his first year back at the Santiago Bernabéu, and again last season. Taking advantage of Mbappé’s suspension and injury, Ancelotti brought it back in the narrow win over Athletic Club after receiving heavy criticism for his lack of leadership in the Champions League comeback attempt against Arsenal.

The Copa final could define Rodrygo’s future at Real Madrid

“4-4-3 is my favorite system,” Carlo Ancelotti said in a press conference after the win over Athletic Club. However, if he sticks with this formation, it’s clear that one of the team’s star players will have to be sacrificed to face Barcelona. It’s far from a minor decision. Even though it seems increasingly likely that Carlo Ancelotti won’t be coaching next season, it’s becoming more evident that the four stars aren’t compatible in a Real Madrid aiming to remain competitive.

Five days ahead of the Copa del Rey final, Kylian Mbappé continues to work against the clock to be available. If he makes it, according to Diario AS, the most likely scenario is that Carlo Ancelotti will choose to bench Rodrygo Goes, who hasn’t scored or assisted in his last five appearances for Real Madrid. A decision that could definitely mark a turning point in the Brazilian forward’s future at the Santiago Bernabéu, where a summer full of transfers and sales is expected.