The Santiago Bernabeu will be the setting for Real Madrid’s home Champions League debut on Tuesday night, as they host Olympique Marseille. Xabi Alonso’s side are seeking five straight wins to begin the season, and a good start in Europe.
Los Blancos have been boosted by the presence of Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga, who return to the squad after two and 4.5 months out respectively. Much of the talk leading up to the game was surrounding the officiating in La Liga though.
The line-up from MD suggests that Real Madrid will make three changes to the line-up that came away with a 2-1 win at Anoeta against Real Sociedad. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Franco Mastantuono and Fede Valverde are due to come in for Dani Carvajal, Brahim Diaz and Dani Ceballos.
That diagnosis is agreed with by Diario AS, although they do believe that Rodrygo Goes could come in for Vinicius. Marca differ somewhat, saying that there will be no changes to the line-up that beat Real Sociedad.
The returns of Bellingham and Camavinga loosen the load on the Real Madrid medical staff. It would be a major surprise if either started, but both could see some game time depending on how the game goes. Antonio Rudiger is out until December, while Ferland Mendy is expected back in October. Up front, Endrick is expected to be back in the squad at some point this month.
Meanwhile Roberto de Zerbi is missing key defender Nayef Aguerd, and back-up goalkeeper Ruben Blanco. Facundo Medina and Leandro Balerdi are expected to be the pairing in central defence, while Benjamin Pavard will be at right-back. Marseille have a number of familiar faces in their line-up too, with ex-Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, former Getafe forward Mason Greenwood, and ex-Valencia man Geoffrey Kondogbia all expected to start.