Ancelotti explains why 4-4-2 formation might be better for Bilbao match

"I don't know if I'll change the system (4-4-3) because we've had a lot of success with it recently. Not having a winger means that a 4-4-2 is better, but I'll have to wait until tonight to decide," Carlo Ancelotti told reporters before the Athletic Bilbao game.

Both Rodrygo and Marco Asensio are out due to COVID-19. Eden Hazard is an option to play on the wings, but he is usually deployed on the left.

"Hazard is not a winger who plays out wide like Vinicius Jr, he likes to play behind the striker. He has played on the right. I want him to be comfortable when he plays."

Ancelotti has tried multiple formations at the start of the season, but the one that worked the best was 4-3-3. However, Real Madrid switched to the 4-4-2 set-up against Cadiz and ended up dropping points.

Source: Real Madrid (h/t RMadridInfo @ Twitter)