Carlo Ancelotti could scrap Real Madrid plan to stop Bukayo Saka amid double Arsenal dilemma

Carlo Ancelotti has two big decisions to make ahead of Real Madrid's clash against Arsenal. Los Blancos will host Mikel Arteta's side at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal.

The Gunners stormed past Real Madrid in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium last week; Declan Rice scored two brilliant free-kicks before Mikel Merino put the final nail in the coffin. Arsenal have secured a three-goal lead ahead of their trip to the Spanish capital, with a place in the the semi-finals up for grabs.

While Bukayo Saka didn't get on the scoresheet, he caused Ancelotti's side numerous problems. The Hale End graduate, who's recently returned from a hamstring injury, enjoyed his duel against David Alaba, twisting him inside and out.

Saka got the better of the Real Madrid defender for much of the tie before he was replaced by Leandro Trossard. With the England international expected to return to the Arsenal starting lineup for the second leg, Ancelotti has a team selection headache.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the Italian could start Fran Garcia at left-back instead of Alaba in an effort to nullify Saka. The former was brought on for the latter in the final minutes of last week's tie.

It's said that Ancelotti could reshuffle his midfield too. Diario AS claims that it's increasingly likely that the former Chelsea boss will shift Federico Valverde into midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham.

Valverde started at right-back at the Emirates Stadium last week, giving Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey the freedom to roam and dictate possession. Speaking to reporters at the weekend, Davide Ancelotti was quizzed on Los Blancos' title chances.

The Real Madrid assistant, whose father was serving a touchline ban, enjoyed a 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves in the Basque city. Davide said: "We have the confidence and the quality to do it both in the Champions League and in the league.

"We have to earn it. It's not enough having the quality we have, we need some things to go well for us. Everyone is on board with what we’re going to try. The victory [against Deportivo Alavés] gives us confidence.

"It was what we were looking for here and we knew it wasn't going to be easy. What happened in the game made it even more complicated for us. But the fact that we won gives us confidence for what we want to happen next Wednesday."

Then, on Dani Ceballos, who could be an alternative option in midfield, Davide added: "He’s trained well for the last three or four days and is fully available. His change gave a little more calmness to the match, which was a little crazy.

"He’s fully prepared for Wednesday. He’s done very well this season and he’s going to help us a lot.

"Whether he starts or not, it doesn't matter, he's going to add a lot."

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