Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Iker Casillas will start Tuesday night's Spanish Supecopa first leg against Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu.
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Madrid's goalkeeper position is a huge focus of attention in Spain, with long-serving club captain Casillas again looking shaky in preseason, and new 10-million-euro signing Keylor Navas having been in much better form over recent months.
Last year's regular La Liga starter Diego Lopez has been allowed to move to AC Milan, leaving Casillas and Navas to battle it out for Los Blancos' No. 1 spot, with academy graduate Pacheco also available as back-up.
At Monday's pregame news conference, Ancelotti said that Casillas, who over his long career has not lost in 27 derbies started against Atletico, would get the nod for the Supercopa first leg -- though he added the situation could change afterwards.
"Casillas will play in goal," Ancelotti said. "Iker is doing well. Everyone is confident in him and we'll see who plays in the upcoming matches."
The two Madrid teams met five times last season, with Atletico coming out on top in La Liga on the way to claiming the title, while Los Blancos had the upper hand in their Copa del Rey and Champions League meetings.
Ancelotti said that after a summer that has seen plenty of changes in both squads, the two sides would be starting the new campaign well matched.
"There are no favourites in this tie," Ancelotti said. "It is a two-legged tie, 180 minutes, and we have to prepare well. The first match will not be decisive but we will try to take the lead and put in a good performance. Atletico have changed a little because they have signed some big players. Their style has not changed and it will be a difficult match, as it was last season."
Ahead of Madrid's opening La Liga clash with Cordoba at the Bernabeu next Monday, Ancelotti said he could name different lineups in Tuesday's first leg and Friday's return Supercopa game at Atletico's Estadio Vicente Calderon, with even the apparently departing Angel Di Maria featuring.
"I am not going to play the same team in both matches," Ancelotti said. "While some will play tomorrow, I'll change it a little on Friday. We've signed three players who are going to bring more quality to the team and so we have a better squad than last season, but in order to enjoy that quality we have to work hard. This week the competition starts and the team is ready. There are no injuries and everyone is available to play."
Ancelotti said that new galactico James Rodriguez, who has featured both in midfield and up front during preseason, would need time to get used to playing in a three-man midfield.
"Against Sevilla [in the UEFA Super Cup] he changed his normal position and he needs to get used to that," Ancelotti said. "We are trying this position out and he has no problems, he just needs to get used to playing a bit deeper. He is not missing anything. There have been a lot of changes for him. We are very happy with what he is doing and we're convinced of what he will do in the future."