MU Shorts
Kroos, Vinicius start in a 4-3-3: How Real Madrid could line up against Chelsea
Real Madrid will look to secure progression to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League when they take on Chelsea in the quarter-final second leg tonight at Stamford Bridge.
Real Madrid, current holders of the Champions League trophy, secured a 2-0 win over Chelsea in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu last week.
And the aim will be for the Merengues to get the job done in London in a professional manner without letting any complacency creep in, even as Chelsea find themselves in a never-ending abyss of problems on the pitch.
Ahead of the game, Real Madrid have welcomed key duo Toni Kroos and Vinicius Jr back into the fold after the pair missed the La Liga clash against Cadiz due to minor niggles. Ferland Mendy remains the only first-team player out with an injury.
Madrid Universal takes a look at how Carlo Ancelotti could set his team up against Frank Lampard’s side tonight at Stamford Bridge.
Starters
It goes without saying that Carlo Ancelotti will ring in the changes after rotating heavily for the weekend La Liga clash against Cadiz. There is a strong chance that the Real Madrid boss will go into the game with the same lineup as the one from the first leg in Spain last week.
It would see David Alaba replace Antonio Rudiger as Eder Militao’s centre-back partner while Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga reclaim their berths as the right-back and left-back, respectively. Antonio Rudiger, Lucas Vazquez, and Nacho Fernandez will drop to the bench.
Former Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois will continue to guard the goal on his return to Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, in midfield, Federico Valverde is expected to keep his place in the starting lineup. But there will be two other changes as the fit-again Toni Kroos should replace Aurelien Tchouameni as the pivot, while Luka Modric comes in for Dani Ceballos.
With Vinicius Jr returning, the attacking lineup picks itself for Real Madrid. The Brazilian ought to line up in his customary left-wing slot while his compatriot, Rodrygo Goes moves to the right flank. Club captain Karim Benzema will be the man spearheading Los Blancos’ attack against Chelsea.
Vinicius · Benzema · Rodrygo
Modric · Kroos · Valverde
Camavinga · Alaba · Militao · Carvajal
Courtois
Substitutes
Marco Asensio has scored two goals in two games and will feel hard done by as he will be left out on the bench. But the Spaniard will invariably be called upon by manager Carlo Ancelotti at some point in the second period at Stamford Bridge.
Dani Ceballos is another player who will come on in the latter stages to add more legs and energy in midfield, while Aurelien Tchouameni could also get some minutes as Ancelotti looks to relieve the returning Toni Kroos.
Antonio Rudiger could also come onto the field in the second period, as he did in the first leg as he returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since leaving Chelsea. If the game is in the bag, Eden Hazard could also make a token appearance on his return to Stamford Bridge, where he is still adored by the fans.
Following their first loss of the season against Real Betis, Real Madrid face a tough test tonight as they take on Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu in their UEFA Champions League opener.
The Nerazzurri are first of a tricky set of opponents for the Merengues in the league phase of Europe’s premier competition and will pose a monumental challenge to Jose Mourinho and his men.
After all, the Serie A champions have won each of their three matches this season, with their latest game ending in a 3-2 comeback win over Napoli.
The fact that Real Madrid go into the game with some notable absences makes the task even harder, given as Mourinho will be unable to call upon Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva, and Eduardo Camavinga through suspensions.
Meanwhile, Raul Asencio, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo remain unavailable through injuries, whereas Ferland Mendy has not been registered in the Champions League this season.
There is some positive news, though, with Endrick, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Thiago Pitarch recovering from their physical issues, which could lead them to making their comeback tonight, but not as starters.
With some major decisions to be made with regard to his personnel, here is how Mourinho could set out his Real Madrid lineup tonight at the Bernabeu.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois remains the undisputed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will be key to them getting off the mark in the Champions League this season.
As for the defence, Ibrahima Konate is seemingly ahead of Antonio Rudiger in the centre-back position and start again tonight. He will partner with Dean Huijsen, who has been a standout performer under Mourinho.
On the right side of the defence, Denzel Dumfries should get the nod against his former club, with Trent Alexander-Arnold likely being held back as a possible option in midfield.
World Cup winner Marc Cucurella will continue on the left, ahead of Alvaro Carreras, despite coming off with a minor physical concern against Betis.
Midfield
The midfield department is where things get tricky for Mourinho and Real Madrid, given that Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Guler are unavailable and Aurelien Tchouameni is not ready to start matches.
Federico Valverde is an obvious starter in one of the two positions, and as for his partner, Mourinho has options like using Trent in midfield or turning to youngster Jorge Cestero.
But the likeliest route that the Portuguese tactician will take is to pull Jude Bellingham into a deeper position for tonight’s game, despite the England superstar’s effectiveness as a No. 10 in the first few matches.
With Bellingham moving into the double pivot and Guler unavailable, it should pave the way for Brahim Diaz to slot in as the central attacking midfielder for Los Blancos.
Attack
This could finally turn out to be the night that Real Madrid’s most expensive signing of the summer, Yan Diomande, makes his first start for the club.
The Ivorian international has so far only featured off the bench, with Mourinho preferring Guler on the right. But with the Turkish star suspended and Brahim operating centrally, the door is open for Diomande to start.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. will retain their respective places in the Real Madrid attacking line and hope to make a mark after failing to do so at the weekend.
