Vinicius, Mbappe start in a 4-4-2 – How Real Madrid can line up against Bayern Munich | OneFootball

Alvaro Arbeloa faces his toughest test so far as Real Madrid manager later tonight as his team take on an unstoppable Bayern Munich outfit in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

Following the upsetting 2-1 defeat to RCD Mallorca last weekend, Los Blancos will be eager to bounce back quickly, but Bayern are the most in-form team in Europe and will pose a huge challenge to the hosts at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Arbeloa’s Real Madrid, though, were able to see off Manchester City in the previous round of the competition and will back themselves to get a positive result against the German champions as well.

With the second leg set to be played at the Allianz Arena next week, it will be important for Real Madrid to make the most of tonight’s fixture so that they can enter the reverse fixture with an advantage.

Real Madrid are likely to welcome Dani Ceballos back to the squad for tonight’s match, but Ferland Mendy is not expected to return. Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois remain sidelined with injuries.

With that being said, here’s how Arbeloa is expected to set his team up against Vincent Kompany’s side at the Bernabeu.

Defence

With still no Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin will once again start in the goal for Real Madrid, hoping to thwart the dangerous Bayern Munich attack.

Eder Militao made his comeback against Mallorca after four months out and marked his return with a goal. However, it is too early for him to start matches, and as such, he will likely remain a substitute.

Instead, it will be Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen who will start as the centre-backs for the home team, faced with the challenging task of stopping Harry Kane.

Fran Garcia set to replace Alvaro Carreras. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to continue at right-back ahead of club captain Dani Carvajal. On the left side, Fran Garcia is in line to replace Alvaro Carreras, who was not very convincing in the weekend loss.

Midfield

There are a couple of changes on the cards when it comes to the midfield department. For starters, Federico Valverde is available again after missing the Mallorca clash through suspension.

The Uruguayan international will reclaim his starting spot on the right side of the midfield, while he will also captain the team on the night.

Meanwhile, the second change should see teenage sensation Thiago Pitarch return to the starting lineup, at the expense of Eduardo Camavinga, who was poor in the Mallorca clash.

The 18-year-old will slot in on the left side, while Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni operate centrally in midfield. It also means that Jude Bellingham’s wait for his first start since returning from his injury continues.

Attack

Kylian Mbappe started his first game after injury against Mallorca, but was far from his best and will need to rediscover his goalscoring ways if Real Madrid are to have a chance against Bayern Munich.

Vinicius Jr., who was only a substitute at the weekend, should reclaim his rightful place in attack alongside Mbappe, with Brahim Diaz making way for the Brazilian superstar.