Real Madrid face a season-defining few days following their shock 3-0 UEFA Champions League defeat Arsenal.
Los Blancos find their hopes of a UCL title defense now resting on a miraculous comeback in Madrid on April 16 after a Declan Rice double inspired the Gunners to a superb quarterfinal first-leg win in North London.
The visitors struggled to take their early goal scoring chances at the Emirates Stadium – with Kylian Mbappe particularly wasteful – before Arsenal took control after the break.
Carlo Ancelotti called out a ‘poor mental attitude’ from his players in the second period with midfield star Jude Bellingham admitting the visitors never got close to Mikel Arteta’s hosts.
Ahead of the second-leg, Ancelotti is expected to make changes to his team, with three key areas in need of a refresh if he wants to stand a chance of a historical fightback in the Spanish capital.
What changes do Real Madrid make for Arsenal rematch?
Injuries and suspensions will impact Ancelotti’s second-leg plans as part of a busy schedule of matches across all competitions.
This weekend’s La Liga trip to Alaves is likely to feature a host of rotations, with the focus on throwing everything at Arsenal.
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The returning Thibaut Courtois was questioned by some fans for his positioning on Rice’s two free-kicks, but the Belgian is unchallenged as No.1 and will remain in place.
Fede Valverde is Ancelotti’s first-choice at right-back in big games in 2025, with Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio set to continue centrally, but there should be a change at left-back.
David Alaba was given a rough night by the directness and guile of Bukayo Saka, and Fran Garcia could be drafted in, unless Ferland Mendy returns to full fitness.
Mendy has been sidelined for a month through injury, and his lack of sharpness could give Garcia the starting nod, but both players offer more going forward than Alaba – with Ancelotti needing his team on full attacking power in the second-leg.
Eduardo Camavinga is an option to slide over from midfield to left-back, but he will miss out due to suspension, after a red card in the final stages of the first game.
Fellow Frenchman Aurelien Tchouameni will return from a ban of his own to cover and there is a major call to be made on club captain Luka Modric.
At 39, Modric still has the ability to dictate games, but if the flow of the match is against him, the Croatian’s impact is limited.
Dani Ceballos should be back fit – after narrowly missing out on the first-leg – and he could add some snap in the engine room with Modric’s talents left on the bench for a late appearance – in what could be his final-ever UCL appearance.
With goals the priority, Ancelotti will again look to his all-star trio of Rodrygo Goes, Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, with Brahim Diaz, Endrick Felipe and Arda Guler in reserve.
