Real Madrid have made key changes to their starting eleven as they prepare for a dramatic second-leg comeback against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Federico Valverde has been handed a start in midfield by manager Carlo Ancelotti, with veteran Luka Modric dropping to the bench. Lucas Vazquez returns to the right-back position, and Aurelien Tchouameni is back from suspension, replacing the banned Eduardo Camavinga.
The Spanish giants are aiming to overturn a crushing 3-0 defeat from the first leg in London. Their attacking line-up remains stacked with talent, as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo Goes lead the charge in what has been dubbed Madrid’s “fantastic four.” Ancelotti’s team, boasting fifteen European titles, is counting on their home crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu to push them toward an unlikely remontada.
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has chosen to stick with the same starting eleven that delivered a commanding performance at the Emirates. Despite a few injury concerns over the weekend, Arteta resisted the urge to tinker. Ben White is available on the bench after recovering from injury, while Jorginho is absent. Thomas Partey, having shaken off a knock, retains his place alongside Declan Rice in midfield. Rice, who scored twice from free-kicks in the first leg, starts again alongside makeshift striker Mikel Merino, who also got on the scoresheet.
Arsenal will be looking to protect their lead and reach the semi-finals for the first time in years, while Real Madrid are determined to write another chapter in their storied European history.
Starting line-ups:
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba; Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti (Italy)
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Thomas Partey, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli; Mikel Merino
Coach: Mikel Arteta (Spain)
Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
