Real Madrid will be bidding to make a strong start to the 2023/24 Champions League campaign when they welcome Union Berlin at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
Los Blancos have been solid in La Liga, winning their opening five games. They have not quite been at their free-flowing best early in the season, but the Spanish heavyweights have been incredibly effective, scoring 10 goals and conceding just three.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men will enter the contest off the back of a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga, hoping to make it six straight wins in all competitions.
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid managed to have Dani Ceballos at the weekend, with the Spanish midfielder joining the squad for the first time after overcoming a hamstring issue.
Ferland Mendy could be back against Union Berlin, but Ancelotti will again be without the services of Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Vinicius Junior, whereas summer signing Arda Guler is also still unavailable.
Predicted Real Madrid lineup vs Union Berlin (4-1-2-1-2)
Goalkeeper
Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue to deputise in goal for the injured Thibaut Courtois. The Spaniard will be hoping to start Real’s Champions League campaign with a clean sheet.
Defence
Real are likely to keep their 4-1-2-1-2 diamond formation intact, with Antonio Rudiger forming the central defensive partnership with David Alaba. Fran Garcia had a solid outing against Real Sociedad but the lack of European experience could see the Spaniard make way for Eduardo Camavinga at left-back. Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal is an undisputed starter at right-back.
Midfield
Up ahead in midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni will start at the base, and he will look to provide protection to the central defenders and break up the opposition play. Luka Modric is likely to be recalled in place of Toni Kroos, who is no longer a guaranteed starter. The Croatian maestro will operate alongside Fede Valverde as two No.8s, adding creativity and poise to the side.
Jude Bellingham will get his first taste of Champions League football in a Real Madrid shirt, meanwhile, and the England international has been in sublime form this season, already finding the back of the net on five occasions. He will start at the tip of the diamond and use his incisive passing and vision to unlock the Union Berlin defence.
Attack
Summer signing Joselu has thrived alongside Rodrygo in the final third of the field, and the pair are set to continue their partnership against the German opponents. Having scored the winner against Real Sociedad, Joselu will be confident of getting his name on the scoresheet again.
Toni Kroos, Lucas Vazquez and Brahim Diaz could become options from the bench in the latter stages of the game.