Casillas the friendly goalkeeper

With the league season already underway, on Thursday Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruña will dispute the Teresa Herrera Trophy at the Riazor stadium. The match comes amidst controversy over who will be starting goalkeeper, Iker Casillas or Diego López.

The uncertainty has reigned ever since Carlo Ancelotti joined 'Loa Blancos' earlier this summer. For this game at least, Carlo Ancelotti has decided it should be Casillas between the posts. This marks a change from the first two league matches of the season, where Diego López was starting goalie.

The Real captain will be starting goalkeeper but only for a friendly, just as he was against Everton and Chelsea on Real Madrid's American tour, and last Thursday against Al-Sadd at the Santiago Bernabéu Trophy.

One of the most notable absences at the match will be Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese international is in Monaco for the UEFA Best Player of the Year 2012-2013 award ceremony. The Real Madrid striker is one of the candidates opting for the award, along with Messi and Ribéry.

The game will be a golden opportunity for Jesse, Morata and Carvajal. Nacho and Casemiro are the homegrown players to have played the most minutes so far, making them Ancelotti' favourites for substitutions.