Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 10y

Di Maria may start in Supercopa

Carlo Ancelotti says he will change his lineup for Friday's Spanish Supercopa second leg at Atletico Madrid, and did not rule out starting Angel Di Maria despite the winger apparently wanting to leave Real Madrid.

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Di Maria's future remains up in the air, with Ancelotti having said that the Argentina international, 26, has rejected a new contract offer and asked to leave, with Manchester United now reportedly best placed to sign him in a deal which could be worth up to 60 million euros.

However, Di Maria was named in Madrid's 22-man provisional match squad for the game at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, with Sami Khedira -- who is also possibly leaving the club this month - making the cut as well.

The Italian coach told a pregame news conference that he would not reveal his starting lineup, but said it would be different from that which drew 1-1 with Atletico in Tuesday's first leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

"I'm not going to say what the XI is," Ancelotti said. "But I will change various positions on the pitch."

The 55-year-old was clearer when denying that Di Maria's potential departure would mean a change to the 4-3-3 tactics which saw the team win the Champions League and Copa del Rey last term.

"It will be the norm during the season, although the three central midfielders' positions can change because I can choose players with different characteristics," he said. "The three central midfielders system won't change, but the interpretation of the position will come through the player who is selected."

Summer signings Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez were both good options to play in that 4-3-3 system, Ancelotti added.

"James looks good because he's adapting to our style of play," he continued. "He has played well and there's no problem if he starts. He has a more withdrawn position because the side needs him in that position. I can also use him a little bit further up.

"We are lucky enough to have a footballer [in Kroos] who can play in different positions all over the pitch. He can play without any problems in the three positions in the middle of the park because of his quality."

Ancelotti said that whoever plays for Madrid can expect the usual "intense" approach from Atletico -- who had six players booked in Tuesday's first leg.

"Atletico won't change their style and will play as they did at the Bernabeu because they have the advantage given the positive result," Ancelotti said. "We are used to playing against Atletico and they're used to us.

"They will try to take advantage of the chances on the counterattack and strategic plays. We played the second half of the first leg more quickly, and not as slow as the first half. It's a problem of velocity and not intensity."

Meanwhile new Atletico right-back Jesus Gamez said his team were "competitive" and always go out to win games, especially a final like this.

"It's still a final, there are no favourites," Gamez said. "We focus on our way of playing, we're a very competitive team and we'll fight the 90 minutes to win the title, in these matches there are no favourites."

The former Malaga man -- who was not in the squad for the first leg -- said he was now focused on knuckling down and fighting for his place in the team.

"My goal is to try to fight to earn my place, be able to play as many matches as possible provided it helps the team," he said. "Regarding the team, the coaching staff, the players, since they arrive they transmit the day-by-day and match-by-match work which leads to success."

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