Real Madrid will kick off their 2024/25 Champions League campaign with a home match against Stuttgart at Santiago Bernabeu, early tomorrow morning (Vietnam time). Here’s the predicted starting lineup for Los Blancos for this crucial fixture:
Goalkeeper and Defense
Goalkeeper:
- Thibaut Courtois: Will undoubtedly be the first-choice goalkeeper, guarding the goal for Real Madrid.
Defense:
- Right Back: Lucas Vazquez is expected to take this position since Dani Carvajal is being shifted into a central defensive role, and Carvajal may not be fully fit yet.
- Center Backs: Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal (or possibly David Alaba if Ancelotti decides to make changes). Eder Militao appears to be lacking the required fitness to start.
- Left Back: Ferland Mendy is anticipated to start over Fran Garcia, due to his stronger defensive capabilities.
Midfield
Midfielders:
- Aurelien Tchouameni: Expected to take on the role of defensive midfielder, responsible for ball recovery and protecting the defense.
- Jude Bellingham: Will play as a link between midfield and attack, given his freedom to advance and support offensive play.
- Federico Valverde: Will continue to be a key player with his ability to support both defense and attack, balancing the team and handling counter-attacks from Stuttgart.
Attack
Forwards:
- Rodrygo: Likely to start on the right wing, where he can utilize his pace and technical skills.
- Vinicius Junior: Expected to play on the left wing, bringing his dribbling and opportunity-creating abilities.
- Kylian Mbappe: Will take on the central forward role, being the primary attacking threat with his sharp finishing skills.
In summary, the predicted lineup for Real Madrid features Thibaut Courtois in goal; Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal (or David Alaba), and Ferland Mendy in defense; Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, and Federico Valverde in midfield; and Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe in attack. This strong lineup blends experience and youthful talent, aiming for a successful start to their Champions League campaign.