Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid starting lineup to face Bayern Munich – Brahim, Mendy in
In a little while, Real Madrid will take the field at the Allianz Arena to face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.
And, manager Alvaro Arbeloa has announced the starting XI that will step out to lead Real Madrid’s quest for a comeback in the tie.
The big news is that Ferland Mendy, having returned to the squad after recovering from his hamstring injury, starts at left-back. He gets the nod ahead of Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia so that he can provide more defensive solidity against Michael Olise.
Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger, who was rested in the game against Girona last week, returns to the team, replacing Raul Asencio as Eder Militao’s partner at centre-back.
There is a change at right-back as well, with Trent Alexander-Arnold coming in at the expense of captain Dani Carvajal.
Federico Valverde is set to start in a central role in midfield tonight in the absence of Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Uruguayan will be partnered with Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler in the middle of the park, meaning there is no place for both Eduardo Camavinga and Thiago Pitarch.
Brahim Diaz has been rewarded for his recent impressive performances with a start for Real Madrid in what is a must-win game. He will accompany Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe in attack for the visitors.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 15, 2026
🆚 @FCBayernES pic.twitter.com/0bwFtzk5zq
Real Madrid News
Mbappe’s commitment to Real Madrid questioned amid claims he was ‘more focused on the World Cup’
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is always in the spotlight for one reason or another, which is common for a player of his stature.
He has found himself at the centre of fresh debate in Spain, with questions being raised over whether the French superstar is sufficiently focused on Real Madrid.
This is a criticism that has followed him quite a bit since his move to Spain, but Mbappe’s goalscoring numbers simply cannot be criticised.
Questions raised over Mbappe’s priorities
Speaking on El Partidazo de COPE, journalist Juanma Castano discussed the perception surrounding Mbappe.
He suggested that there are people who believe the forward’s priorities have not always been completely aligned with those of Madrid.
“They see him as more committed to himself than to Real Madrid,” Castano said.
The criticism then went further, with the World Cup in the summer also mentioned as a potential factor behind the perception.
“They saw him as more concerned about the World Cup than about the end of the season,” he added.
Those are serious claims to make about a leading player at Madrid whose performances on the pitch have hardly ever dipped.
A serious accusation at Real Madrid
Nothing in Castano’s comments proves that Mbappe deliberately placed France or his personal objectives ahead of Madrid.
Mbappe’s quality is beyond question, and his importance to Mourinho’s attack makes him one of the players Madrid can least afford to have surrounded by doubts over commitment.
The Frenchman was suffering from a knee injury in the second half of last season. This kept him out of action for a few weeks.
Mbappe returned in style at the World Cup, winning the Golden Boot and obliterating all kinds of goalscoring records.
He has since continued in the same vein at the beginning of the season for Mourinho’s team and has been one of La Liga’s best attackers.
Mbappe’s best answer has to come on the pitch
Ultimately, this is the kind of debate Mbappe can shut down himself, not with words but with his performances on the pitch.
Madrid do not need their biggest star to abandon his ambitions with France. They need him to ensure complete commitment to the club when he wears Madrid white, and he has not given them any reason to doubt that.
The Frenchman will continue to be held to very high standards compared to some other players. He is currently recovering from injury and will hope to return to action soon.
It remains to be seen how Mbappe fares for the rest of the season and whether he can play a starring role in bringing silverware back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
