KYilian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham are the main new additions to Real Madrid’s trip to Manchester. This is unusual news for Alvaro Arbeloa, who has regained the top scorer in an important game. He did so in the return leg of a draw played with a safety net, leading 3-0, so in principle the coach may not be able to regulate his star player and force a return night. The idea with Mbappé is that unless the night at the Etihad is a huge failure, it will progress little by little. Bellingham’s inclusion is surprising, and it doesn’t seem like he’s ready yet.
Alvaro Carreras will also be traveling with him, and Madrid will also have two players covering the left-back position. Fran Garcia, who played well against Elche, is in pole position and is unlikely to start. Also, Alaba will be retrieved as the center of defense, but Asensio will not be retrieved. The news from the infirmary was certainly not as dramatic as the first leg.
With the academy getting a boost and five players (and quite a few) getting minutes against Elche, the squad is once again full of youth players. Fran Gonzalez, Diego Aguado, Mario Rivas, Setero, Thiago Pitalucci, Manuel Ángel and Palacios will travel. Madrid will be without Militao, Asensio, Mendy, Rodrygo and Ceballos due to injury.
Real Madrid team:
Goalkeeper: Courtois, Lunin, Fran Gonzalez.
Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Torrent, Carreras, Fran Garcia, Digger, Huisén, Diego Aguado, Mario Rivas.
Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Choameni, Arda Güler, Setero, Manuel Ángel, Palacios, Thiago.
Forwards: Vini, Mbappe, Gonzalo, Brahim, Mastatuono.
