Real Madrid reporter Miguel Angel Diaz has admitted he is "freaking out" over a leaked potential lineup ahead of the crucial Champions League clash against Arsenal.
The COPE correspondent revealed his shock after receiving details of Carlo Ancelotti's possible tactical approach for Wednesday night's second leg at the Bernabeu.
Madrid are attempting to overturn a 3-0 deficit from last week's first leg at the Emirates.
Speaking on COPE's El Partidazo, Diaz said: "I just received an eleven that I'm freaking out about.
Carlo Ancelotti is plotting a way for Real Madrid to complete one of the biggest Champions League comebacks of all time
Reuters
"I don't know if it will be the right one, but I get the message that tomorrow Madrid could play with Asencio at right back, Alaba at left back, Tchouameni and Rudiger, a central pairing; that Ceballos would play with Valverde in the double pivot, plus the four up front: Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius and Mbappe."
The Italian manager faces a significant challenge after Arsenal's dominant performance in the first leg, where two Declan Rice free-kicks and a Mikel Merino strike put the Gunners firmly in control.
Ancelotti appears to be considering a radical tactical approach to score the minimum three goals required to stay in the competition.
Fellow COPE reporter Paco Gonzalez also expressed surprise at the potential lineup.
"I'm a little surprised with the line-up Miguelito has given, very surprised," Gonzalez said.
He questioned who would cover the wide areas if Madrid opted for three centre-backs.
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"I don't know the line-up he [Ancelotti] has in mind, and I don't really believe Ceballos will play and Modric won't," Gonzalez added.
The potential lineup includes several players in unusual positions. Raul Asencio, who partnered Rudiger in central defence during the first leg, has started just one game at right-back for Madrid this season.
Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni, who missed the first leg through suspension, has played 16 games as a centre-back this season despite being primarily considered a defensive midfielder.
Gonzalez referenced Madrid's history of dramatic comebacks, noting a historic turnaround against Borussia Moenchengladbach when trailing 5-1 in 1986.
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Real Madrid's reported leaked line-up is still stacked with talent
Lineup builder
"In these comebacks there are always some crazy line-ups," he said.
He recalled how Madrid deployed an ultra-attacking formation with "Valdano, Santillana, Butragueno and Juanito" up front.
The club even brought on "another striker" while removing a defender when leading 2-0 in the 70th minute, eventually completing their remarkable comeback.
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