Real Madrid released their starting lineup for tonight’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at 7:16 PM, nearly two hours before the 9:00 PM kickoff against Bayern Munich. The Spanish side abandoned the traditional one-hour window for squad announcements, repeating a pattern they established during the first leg of the tie.
Bayern Munich enters the match at the Allianz Arena holding a 2-1 aggregate lead. Real Madrid must find a way to overturn this deficit after a first-leg defeat in Madrid.
Real Madrid rotates four players to overturn aggregate deficit
Coach Álvaro Arbeloa implemented four changes to the starting XI compared to the first leg. Ferland Mendy and Eder Militao return to the defensive line, while Jude Bellingham enters the midfield. Brahim Díaz completes the rotation, starting on the right wing.
These inclusions force Dean Huijsen, Thiago, and Alvaro Carreras to the bench. Aurélien Tchouaméni is unavailable for the match due to a yellow card suspension.
The confirmed lineup for the visitors is as follows: Lunin – Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy – Bellingham, Valverde – Güler, Diaz – Mbappé, Vinicius Jr.
Inside the Bayern camp, Vincent Kompany reverts to his first-leg XI
Bayern Munich opted for total stability in their selection. Vincent Kompany is fielding the same starting eleven that secured the 2-1 victory in the first leg.
Harry Kane and Aleksandar Pavlović return to the lineup after being rested during the weekend’s 5-0 victory over St. Pauli. Serge Gnabry similarly starts in the offensive center, returning to the XI after recovering from knee issues.
Kompany expressed high confidence in Gnabry’s physical condition during Tuesday’s press conference. The manager stated that Gnabry is fit enough to play 90 or even 120 minutes if the match heads into extra time.
Why Jamal Musiala starts on the bench
Jamal Musiala remains the primary question mark in Kompany’s tactical plan. Despite showing flashes of his peak form against St. Pauli—where the 23-year-old regained the agility and dribbling ability he possessed before a severe injury—he doesn’t start tonight.
Kompany likely views Musiala as a tactical reserve. The manager intends to leverage the playmaker as a „secret weapon“ in the second half, potentially introducing him as an „X-factor“ when the Real Madrid defense tires.
This decision prioritizes the immediate stability of the Gnabry-Kane partnership over the unpredictability of Musiala’s current match fitness.
The tactical shift involving Brahim Díaz and Ferland Mendy
Arbeloa’s decision to start Brahim Díaz suggests a desire for more directness on the right flank. Díaz replaces Thiago Pitarch in the lineup, shifting the creative burden in the Madrid attack.
The return of Ferland Mendy to the back four aims to tighten the left side of the defense. This adjustment targets the specific threats posed by Bayern’s wing play that caused problems in the first leg.
The presence of Jude Bellingham in the midfield provides a physical and technical anchor to replace the suspended Tchouaméni, balancing the midfield duo alongside Federico Valverde.
Who is missing from the Real Madrid starting lineup?
Aurélien Tchouaméni is out due to a yellow card suspension. Dean Huijsen, Thiago, and Alvaro Carreras were left out of the starting eleven in favor of rotations.
Is Jamal Musiala starting for Bayern Munich?
No, Musiala is not in the starting lineup. Coach Vincent Kompany has chosen to keep him as a substitute to be used as a tactical „secret weapon“ in the second half.
