Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter final first leg against Bayern Munich but Jude Bellingham is expected to start on the bench.
Alvaro Arbeloa has been handed some much needed good news on the injury front ahead of the visit of the German giants. Valverde missed the weekend’s league game at Mallorca through suspension, but he is fresh and ready to go. Vinicius, meanwhile, has been passed fit after a recent scare.
The same cannot be said for a few others.
Thibaut Courtois (thigh) and Rodrygo (knee) remain sidelined. Ferland Mendy (hamstring) and Dani Ceballos (calf) are also unlikely to feature. That means Andriy Lunin continues between the sticks, with a back four of Trent Alexander Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras in front of him.
Arbeloa: ‘Mbappe is here for nights like this’
In his pre match press conference, Arbeloa spoke at length about Kylian Mbappe and made it clear he expects the Frenchman to deliver on the big stage.
“It’s clear that Mbappe has different skills and characteristics compared to Brahim, and because of that, we have to play in a different way,” the Real Madrid head coach said.
“I’m delighted to have this kind of problem, to have great players at my disposal and a player like Kylian Mbappe, who has come to Real Madrid for matches like tomorrow’s and knockout rounds like this one.
“I’m sure we will see Kylian performing at his best level and leading the team, as he always knows how to do.”
Bellingham’s role: impact sub?
The big call is in midfield. With Valverde returning, the engine room looks set to feature the Uruguayan alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch Pinar and Arda Guler.
That means no Bellingham from the start.
The England international has been nursing his way back to full fitness, and Arbeloa suggested he is happy to have such quality in reserve.
“I have outstanding players at my disposal,” he said. “It’s a privilege to have them and not face situations where we have ten or eleven players out, as has happened many times.”
Brahim Diaz is also expected to be among the substitutes, giving Madrid plenty of firepower to call upon if things are not going to plan.
‘I don’t know any coach who wouldn’t want Mbappe’
Arbeloa was in full praise mode when discussing his attacking options, painting a picture of a defence that should be terrified.
“I put myself in the shoes of the defenders who play against Real Madrid, having to face Mbappe, Vinicius, Valverde, or Bellingham, who are among the best players on the planet and have earned that recognition through their performances,” he said.
“It’s a privilege as a coach to have them.”
Predicted Real Madrid XI (4-4-2)
Lunin; Alexander Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Pitarch, Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior.
The big picture
Bayern arrive in the Spanish capital in fine form, but the Bernabeu on a Champions League night is a different beast entirely.
Madrid are without a few key names, but the ones who are fit are more than capable of getting the job done. Vinicius back. Valverde back. Mbappe leading the line.
Bellingham waiting in the wings.
If Madrid win this first leg, the second leg in Munich becomes a very different proposition. If they do not, the questions will start quietly at first, then louder.
But with this lineup, on this stage, Arbeloa will be expecting a statement performance.
