Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup when they host Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Real Madrid will be eager to return to winning ways and take a step towards the UEFA Champions League semi-finals when they welcome Bayern Munich to the Santiago Bernabeu for the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday night. Alvaro Arbeloa has received positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Federico Valverde is available after missing the league game against RCD Mallorca this past weekend due to a suspension. Additionally, Vinicius Junior should be fit enough to feature from the get-go against Bayern Munich.
However, Thibaut Courtois (thigh) and Rodrygo (knee), while Ferland Mendy (hamstring) and Dani Ceballos (calf) may not be fit enough to feature yet for Los Blancos. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arbeloa discussed Mbappe at length.
The Real Madrid head coach said, “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. 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. I have great confidence in all the players. Just as you mention Bellingham, I have outstanding players at my disposal. It’s a privilege to have them and not face situations where we have ten or eleven players out, as has happened many times.”
“A lot of opinions might reach me, but the only thing that matters is what I think. Having a player like Mbappe in the team is an extraordinary privilege. I don’t know if there’s any coach in the world who wouldn’t want him. 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. It’s a privilege as a coach to have them.”
Andriy Lunin will continue to deputise for Thibaut Courtois between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-4-2 formation in front of him against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. The backline will feature Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras.
As for the midfield unit, Federico Valverde will join Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch Pinar, and Arda Guler in the middle of the park. Finally, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior will be the two attackers for the home side. So, Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham will be among the backup options for Los Blancos.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Pitarch, Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior