Official: Real Madrid starting lineup to face Barcelona | Mastantuono dropped, Camavinga starts | OneFootball

Real Madrid have revealed their starting lineup for the first El Clasico of the 2025/26 season against Barcelona. 

Manager Xabi Alonso has opted not to start Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold, leaving Federico Valverde to continue in the right-back role.

A major talking point is the inclusion of Dean Huijsen in the starting XI, replacing Raul Asencio to partner Eder Militao in central defence. 

Thibaut Courtois will guard the goal, protected by Militao, Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras, ensuring a solid defensive backbone.

In midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga will operate as holding players, allowing creative freedom for Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham. 

Up front, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. will lead the attack, providing pace and goal threat to challenge Barcelona’s defence.

The bench is stocked with reinforcements, including Franco Mastantuono, Rodrygo, Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dani Ceballos, giving Alonso tactical flexibility. 

These options could prove decisive for Real Madrid, allowing Alonso to respond to the flow of the game and maintain intensity throughout.

It goes without saying that Alonso’s choices suggest a strategy focused on balance and control, aiming to dominate key areas while keeping an eye on counterattacks from Barcelona.

As such, given the depth the manager has in his arsenal, Real Madrid must not hold back and take care of Barcelona’s high press and high defensive line.