Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Arsenal | OneFootball

With kickoff not very far away, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced the starting lineup that will take the field at the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

The big news is that Thibaut Courtois is back to full fitness and starts a game for the first time post the international break, coming in for Fran Gonzalez.

Meanwhile, Federico Valverde gets the nod at right-back ahead of Lucas Vazquez despite speculations suggesting that the veteran would start.

On the opposite flank, Ancelotti has gone with the experience and solidity of David Alaba over Fran Garcia in the absence of Ferland Mendy. Raul Asencio returns to the lineup, partnering Antonio Rudiger at centre-back.

Valverde’s move to right-back paves the way for Luka Modric to start in midfield, where he is partnered by Eduardo Camavinga, stepping in for the suspended Aurelien Tchouameni.

Jude Bellingham will be third midfielder for Los Blancos, operating behind the frontline of Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr.