Real Madrid have named their starting eleven for tonight’s second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal, where Carlo Ancelotti‘s side will be looking to stage a comeback and enjoy another magical night at the Santiago Bernabéu.
A new night to make history
Real Madrid face one of their biggest challenges in recent years in the Champions League. Once again they want to experience a magical night, but this time the difficulty is enormous. Ancelotti’s men will be looking to come back from the 3-0 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London last Tuesday. It’s been 39 years since Real Madrid last managed to come back from such a deficit at the Santiago Bernabéu, but the recent Champions League history of the Whites has the team and the fans dreaming.
Fear in England
In England they are not giving the tie to Arsenal by a long shot. They are aware that the advantage is wide, but they know full well what the Santiago Bernabéu is capable of. Real Madrid have staged great comebacks in recent years in the Champions League, against PSG, against Manchester City, or against Bayern Munich last season. The atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu is very powerful, it ruffles any rival, and the Whites are capable of anything in front of such devoted fans.
Injuries to Real Madrid
Real Madrid are without Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao (as already mentioned), Mendy, who has not recovered in time for the match, Lunin, who is still suffering from injury, and Camavinga, who was sent off in the first leg. Carlo Ancelotti has the rest of his squad available to him as he attempts to turn the result of the first leg around.
Arsenal absentees
For his part, Mikel Arteta will be without Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhães, Gabriel Jesús, Riccardo Calafiori, Jorginho and Takehiro Tomiyasu for tonight’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Great atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu
Despite the threat of rain at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid fans have turned out in force and have gradually filled the area around the stadium to welcome the team bus and show their players their support before entering the home of the madridistas. The match is sold out and a full house is expected to cheer on the team in their comeback attempt.
Arsenal won’t be alone
Miker Arteta’s Arsenal are not alone at the Santiago Bernabéu. More than 4,000 fans have traveled to the Spanish capital to accompany their team on what could be a historic night for them. Arsenal have the chance to return to the Champions League semi-finals, and the Gunners’ fans will be supporting their team to counter the weight of the Santiago Bernabéu.
Confirmed Real Madrid line-up
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: Raúl Asencio, Lucas Vázquez, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba
- Midfielders: Fede Valverde, Dani Ceballos and Tchouaméni
- Forward: Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappé