Real Madrid’s starting line-up for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal has been revealed hours before kick-off on Tuesday night.
Mikel Arteta‘s side host the Champions League holders at the Emirates Stadium and will be looking to secure a positive result ahead of the return leg in Spain next Wednesday.
Madrid suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia in La Liga on Saturday and Carlo Ancelotti is said to be making five changes from that side.
According to COPE, the most surprising of Ancelotti’s decisions is to play David Alaba at left-back against Arsenal.
Alaba has started just four games this season after he returned from a cruciate ligament injury in January. The Austria international then missed four games in February due to a thigh problem and has only played as a central defender so far this term.
‘It seems like a dangerous experiment in the Champions League quarterfinals,’ said COPE journalist Roberto Morales.
‘Physically, he’s not the player he used to be, and having Fran Garcia available, who isn’t doing badly, makes the decision difficult to understand.’
Elsewhere, Thibaut Courtois will return in goal after missing Madrid’s last three matches due to injury.
Antonio Rudiger will keep his place in central defence, while Raul Asencio will return to partner the former Chelsea centre-back with Aurulien Tchouameni suspended for the match.
Lucas Vazquez will keep his place on the right side of Madrid’s defence.
COPE report that Ancelotti will deploy a three-man midfield against Arsenal, with Luka Modric dropping to the bench after the defeat to Valencia at the weekend.
Eduardo Camavinga will return to Madrid’s startling-up alongside Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham.
In attack, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr will start, while Rodrygo will return to the side ahead of Brahim Diaz.
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