Real Madrid host Borussia Dortmund at the Bernabéu, on matchday three of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti appears to have two chief selection doubts ahead of Los Blancos’ Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund today.
Rodrygo or Modric?
Firstly, Ancelotti is set to choose between Rodrygo Goes or Luka Modric. Having recovered from the fatigue brought about by his Brazil commitments in international week - the long-haul flights to and from South America took a toll on his body - Rodrygo is seemingly in pole position to start. If Ancelotti gives the forward the nod ahead of the deeper-lying Modric, Madrid will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with the Brazilian occupying the right wing. If the Croat plays, Los Blancos will operate with a four-man midfield.
Tchouaméni or Camavinga at the base of midfield?
Meanwhile, the other major question mark hangs over the holding role in midfield: will Ancelotti pick Aurélien Tchouaméni or Eduardo Camavinga? The identity of Madrid’s chosen anchorman will offer a clear indication as to the boss’s game plan against Dortmund. If Camavinga plays, Ancelotti will be opting for a more vertical, attack-minded midfielder than the defense-focused Tchouaméni - a player who operated as a third centre-back against Celta Vigo at the weekend.
There seem to be few doubts about the make-up of the rest of Madrid’s starting line-up. Thibaut Courtois will start in goal, with Lucas Vázquez and Ferland Mendy at right and left-back, respectively. Mendy returns to the XI after being rested for the Spanish and European champions’ 2-1 LaLiga win in Vigo. Antonio Rüdiger will be partnered by Éder Militão in central defence, and Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham will play in midfield. In attack, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior are sure-fire picks.
Real Madrid’s possible line-up vs Borussia Dortmund
Courtois; Vázquez, Militão, Rüdiger, Mendy; Camavinga/Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bellingham; Rodrygo/Modric, Vinicius and Mbappé.
Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund: start time, how to watch
The matchday-three Champions League clash kicks off at the Bernabéu at 3 p.m. ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the US can watch Madrid vs Dortmund on TUDN USA, UniMás, Paramount+ and Vix. You can stream TUDN and UniMás on the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free trial.
Enjoy the Champions League action on fubo.
Madrid head into the game down in 17th in the ‘league phase’ table, after following up an opening win over VfB Stuttgart with defeat away to Lille. Dortmund, meanwhile, are top of the standings after racking up the goals in two victories: a 3-0 triumph at Club Brugge, and a 7-1 home thrashing of Celtic.