Valverde and Guler make their case for Madrid

Valverde shines at right-back

Real Madrid put four goals past RB Leipzig on Wednesday night, winning 4-1 at the Bernabéu. Kylian Mbappé told Movistar after the match that the team had not thought about Sunday yet, but the performance raised big questions about the starting lineup for the Clásico. Federico Valverde played his second consecutive match at right-back, ahead of specialists Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries. Mourinho previously insisted that Valverde is a central midfielder. Yet Valverde had the most touches on the pitch with 115, created three chances, and led the team in defensive interventions with 12.

It was a complete display from the midfielder turned defender. Even though he was beaten early on by Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa, Valverde barely put a foot wrong for the rest of the 90 minutes. After such a commanding performance, it is difficult to imagine him anywhere else on Sunday.

Guler and Diomande push for starts

Arda Guler rivalled Valverde for influence against Leipzig, playing 27 passes into the final third. Guler has contributed two goals and two assists in his last three games against Roma, Sevilla, and Leipzig. Mourinho praised both Guler and Valverde for their work on the right-hand side. Meanwhile, teenager Yan Diomande scored another brilliant goal off the bench, volleying in a cross from Brahim Díaz. Diomande now has three goals and three assists since the international break. Vinícius Júnior struggled to make an impact and was replaced by Diomande, and Vinícius will miss the Clásico due to a domestic ban.