The dust has settled after the Copa del Rey battle against Atletico, and Carlo Ancelotti is ready to orchestrate a post-derby tune-up against Almeria.

This second-tier La Liga clash presents the perfect opportunity for rotations, and one name on everyone’s lips is Arda Güler.

READ: Who is Arda Guler? The 18-year-old ‘Turkish Messi’ Wanted by Europe’s Biggest Clubs

Tomorrow could be the day the young Turk stuns the Santiago Bernabéu faithful with his La Liga debut. The stage is set – a manageable opponent against the backdrop of the iconic Bernabéu. Güler’s presence isn’t just a bonus, it’s a deliberate strategy.

Ancelotti, ever the wise mentor, held a pre-match pep talk with his rising star after the final training session.

Defensa Madrid reported that Ancelotti had a meeting with the Turkish international after training and “told him to be calm and to play without pressure. He has asked him to do his soccer with total peace of mind, just as he does in training.”

The former Fenerbahce wonderkid has impressed in training, showcasing flashes of brilliance that have captivated the Real Madrid staff.

Thankfully, the injury woes that haunted Güler’s early days are a distant memory. He’s fit, focused, and ready to become a potent weapon in Real Madrid’s quest for La Liga dominance and Champions League glory.

Almeria might be the warm-up act, but Güler’s Bernabéu bow promises to be the main event.

The 18-year-old has made one start and three appearances in total for Real since recovering from injury and looks likely to have a bigger role in 2024 if he stays healthy.

The full Real Madrid squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Lunin, Kepa, Diego Piñeiro.

Defenders: Carvajal, Nacho, Lucas Vázquez, Fran García, Rüdiger, F. Mendy.

Midfielders: Bellingham, Kroos, Modrić, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, D. Ceballos, Arda Güler.

Forwards: Vini Jr., Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim.