Real Madrid get their UEFA Champions League campaign underway later tonight when they host Olympique de Marseille in their first league phase game at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid come into the game with momentum behind them, having won four games in a row in La Liga under the tutelage of Xabi Alonso.
The aim will be to carry forward the momentum into the European competition and get off to a winning start to set the tone early on for what promises to be a challenging league phase.
The good news leading up to tonight’s game is that Los Blancos have recovered key midfielder Jude Bellingham from injury while Eduardo Camavinga is also back in the squad.
Alonso, however, is still without Endrick, Ferland Mendy, and Antonio Rudiger, who is out potentially until December.
Having made some rotations for Saturday’s La Liga game against Real Sociedad, here’s how the Real Madrid manager is likely to set his team up to face Roberto De Zerbi’s men.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois remains an invaluable part of this Real Madrid setup, coming up clutch time and again for the team and is certain to start between the stick as usual.
As for the defence, the centre-back pairing of Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen should remain intact, despite the latter seeing a red card in his last appearance in La Liga.
Alvaro Carreras has made the left-back position his own since joining the team this summer, and should keep his place in the team ahead of Fran Garcia.
Things are much more interesting on the right side with captain Dani Carvajal battling for the starting berth with marquee summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold. And the England international should get the nod over the veteran tonight.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 13: Trent Alexander Arnold of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid CF at Reale Arena on September 13, 2025 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Trent likely to replace Carvajal vs Marseille. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Midfield
Both Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga are back in the squad to face Marseille, but are unlikely to be rushed into a starting role by Xabi Alonso.
As such, Aurelien Tchouameni should once again anchor the midfield for Real Madrid against De Zerbi’s men. Arda Guler, on the other hand, should also hold on to his place and operate as the creative outlet for the team.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde should return to the starting lineup after being rested for the first 45 minutes against Sociedad. He will replace Dani Ceballos, who could very well have been playing for Marseille tonight if not for a last-minute change of heart.
Attack
Franco Mastantuono is all set to make his Champions League debut tonight. The youngster was rested last weekend after a long trip from South America during the international break, but should start on the right wing, ahead of Brahim Diaz.
Kylian Mbappe is in unstoppable form this season and is a guaranteed starter as the centre-forward, as he looks to continue his recent goalscoring streak.
Vinicius Jr. did not have the best of games at the weekend vs Sociedad and was not happy to be substituted in the second half. But he is expected to get the nod again tonight, although with Rodrygo Goes pushing for a start, the superstar must step up.