In just a few moments, Real Madrid will take on Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabéu in the second leg of the 2025 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. To overturn the 3-0 first-leg defeat to the Gunners, Carlo Ancelotti has named a completely different starting XI this Wednesday.
Will Real Madrid rewrite history once again by pulling off another comeback? That’s the question on everyone’s mind. As specialists in the Champions League, Florentino Pérez’s side is putting everything in place to score at least three goals against Mikel Arteta’s men without conceding. Hoping to qualify for the semi-finals against PSG, Carlo Ancelotti has shaken things up with a completely new tactical approach. Although the 4-3-3 has its limitations, the 65-year-old coach is sticking with this formation.
Los Blancos’ official starting XI
Just like in the first leg, Thibaut Courtois starts between the sticks. At fault for Declan Rice’s free-kicks in the first match, the 32-year-old Belgian goalkeeper will be looking to make amends tonight by putting in a big performance and aiming for a clean sheet. In front of him, in defence, the surprise inclusion is Lucas Vázquez at right-back. Despite doubts over the Spanish full-back, who has disappointed in big matches this season, Ancelotti has decided to start him on the right side of the defence.
On the opposite flank, the left, David Alaba is back in the line-up as he was in the first leg. Despite struggling to contain a lively Bukayo Saka, the experienced Austrian has been chosen over the injured Ferland Mendy and Fran García, who is considered too shaky for such a high-profile encounter. At centre-back, Raúl Asencio partners Antonio Rüdiger.
In midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni returns to the starting XI. Suspended for the first leg, the Frenchman is back to deal with the physical challenges posed by Arsenal in the middle of the park. Not deployed at right-back, Federico Valverde keeps his place in midfield alongside Jude Bellingham, with both expected to provide quality service to the attackers.
Speaking of the attack, Rodrygo Goes is indeed in the line-up. Despite struggling in recent weeks, the Brazilian forward still has the confidence of Carlo Ancelotti. The 24-year-old will play alongside Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé in a front three. Real Madrid will be hoping that this attacking trio can finally regain their scoring touch to deliver the goals needed for the long-awaited comeback all Madridistas are dreaming of.
Full XI: Thibaut Courtois – David Alaba, Raúl Asencio, Antonio Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez – Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham – Rodrygo Goes, Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé.
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