This Saturday, Real Madrid returns to domestic competition where it is engaged in an intense struggle with FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid. The Whites visit the Benito Villamarín on matchday 26 to face Real Betis with their minds also set on the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Atlético de Madrid, who will play this Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabéu.
In the league, Real Madrid comes
Real Madrid comes into this matchday after breaking the bad run of three matches without a league victory (Espanyol, Atleti and Osasuna). The Whites beat Girona at home, drawing level with Barcelona at the top of LaLiga with 54 points, after a comfortable win (2-0) at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, thanks to goals from Luka Modric and Vinícius Junior, who ended his poor run of six games without scoring.
A match that also comes in a week in which the Whites have played the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. A duel in which they managed to narrowly beat Real Sociedad at Anoeta. The Whites won with a solitary goal from Endrick and the good work of Lunin in goal, thus taking the lead ahead of the return leg to be played at the Santiago Bernabéu in April.
For their part, Real Betis came closer to Europe last week. A dancer’s turn and a subtle touch with the outside of his right boot elevated Isco to Betis’s hall of fame, capable of conquering the Coliseum with a move from the green and white ‘magician’ to which he added a goal from the penalty spot to defeat Getafe 1-2, unbeaten in the league in 2025 until Pellegrini’s men visited.
With regard to Ancelotti’s chosen eleven, Courtois returns to goal, leaving Lunin on the bench after the second leg of the Copa semi-final. On the right wing, Lucas Vázquez returns to the starting line-up after being a substitute at the Reale Arena, while on the left is Mendy. The central defensive pairing is made up of Alaba and Rüdiger. The Italian coach has opted to leave Asencio out. In midfield are Tchouaméni and Modric, while up front, is Brahim. In attack, Rodrygo Goes plays on the right, Vinicius Junior on the left wing and Mbappé as the main offensive threat.
Real Madrid Official line-up vs. Real Betis
Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Brahim; Rodrygo, Mbappé and Vinicius