Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelotti Reveals Why Antonio Rudiger Played at Left Back in El Clasico

• Real Madrid played their first pre-season game against their bitterest rivals Barcelona on Sunday morning in Las Vegas
• The 2021/22 UEFA Champions League champions lost to the Catalan giants thanks to a wonderful Raphinha strike
• Carlo Ancelotti has explained why he started former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger as a left full-back

Germany international Antonio Rudiger made his unofficial Real Madrid debut in their 1-0 loss to Barcelona in Las Vegas on Sunday morning.

Raphinha netted the only goal of the match in the 27th minute after he intercepted a wayward pass from Real's Eder Militao to secure the win in a match in which Robert Lewandowski made his debut for Barca.

The El Clasico was Madrid’s first of three pre-season fixtures in the United States of America.

Rudiger, 29, was handed a starting berth by Carlo Ancelotti and was in action for 45 minutes before being substituted off at half time.

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Surprisingly, the no-nonsense defender was deployed at left-back, a position in which Ancelotti tried him out in training on Friday.

It is not his main position, even if he played as a left centre-back in a back three at Chelsea.

"The idea for [David] Alaba and Rudiger was to switch their positions during the match and they will do so again," Carlo Ancelotti said in his post match interview.

"Alaba will only play at left-back if needed," he added.

It appears Rudiger will have a hybrid role at Real Madrid if what Ancelotti told the media is anything to go by.

The former Chelsea defender will switch from centre-back to left-back when needed – and Alaba will do just the same.

The El Clasico was Madrid’s first of three pre-season fixtures in the United States of America. The Spanish champions will also take on Club America and end of their tour with a game against Juventus next week.

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The Spanish champions are preparing at their base in the United States of America ahead of the start of the 2022/23 season.

Carlo Ancelotti and his men will lock horns against their fiercest rivals Barcelona at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, 24th July.