Gonzalo, Huijsen start in a 4-3-3 – How Real Madrid can line up against Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid will face a huge test later tonight as they take on Atletico Madrid in the semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Merengues have strung together a four-game winning run, with their most recent one coming in the form of a 5-1 triumph over Real Betis.

It fills the team with confidence heading into the derby, although they were on a similar run the last time they met Atletico, when they were torn to shreds in a 5-2 loss.

There is a lot riding on tonight’s game, with manager Xabi Alonso’s future still in the balance while a spot in the finals to face Barcelona also is on the line.

Real Madrid, however, go into the derby with fresh concerns as Kylian Mbappe is ruled out, while Antonio Rudiger is also a major doubt due to discomfort. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also unavailable and the game comes too soon for Dani Carvajal to return.

Given how well the team performed against Real Betis over the weekend, it is likely that Alonso will keep changes at a bare minimum tonight. With that in mind, here’s how Real Madrid could line up against Atletico Madrid.

Defence

Thibaut Courtois is a confirmed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will be gunning to do well against his former club after conceding five in the previous derby meeting in La Liga.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold unavailable and Dani Carvajal still not at 100%, Federico Valverde once again becomes the de-facto choice to start as the makeshift right-back.

Meanwhile, there is likely to be one forced change in the defensive line as Dean Huijsen, fit again after missing the Betis game, is set to start in place of Antonio Rudiger, who is dealing with some discomfort.

Huijsen set to return. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Huijsen will pair up with Raul Asencio at the heart of the Real Madrid defence, while Alvaro Carreras is a certainty on the left flank.

Midfield

Aurelien Tchouameni has been a permanent fixture in the middle of the park for Xabi Alonso and that will not change for a match of this magnitude.

The French international will have his compatriot Eduardo Camavinga for support, with the former Rennes wonderkid providing that bit of energy, drive, and physicality in the Merengues’ midfield.

Jude Bellingham will be the third midfielder for Real Madrid, who will look to drive forward at every given opportunity, while dropping into the left flank during defensive phases.

Dani Ceballos and Arda Guler will be options from the bench.

Attack

Rodrygo Goes seems to have finally rediscovered his form after a difficult 2025 and seems to have established himself as the preferred starter on the right wing, ahead of Franco Mastantuono.

Like with Bellingham on the left, Rodrygo will drop deeper on the right flank during defensive phases, making a bank of four in the centre of the park.

Meanwhile, Gonzalo Garcia, fresh after scoring a stunning hat-trick against Real Betis, will spearhead the Real Madrid attack.

Vinicius Jr. will be the final piece of the puzzle in the attacking unit for Los Blancos. The Brazilian must step up in a big way in the absence of Kylian Mbappe.