Real Madrid are set to fight for a place in the Champions League semi-finals, facing Arsenal in the second leg of their quarter-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu. After suffering a 3-0 defeat in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, the Spanish giants have a daunting task ahead of them to overturn the deficit and continue their pursuit of European glory.
Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, are in a commanding position following their impressive win in north London, with Declan Rice’s double from free kicks and a late strike from Mikel Merino leaving them with a three-goal advantage. The winner of this tie will go on to face Paris Saint-Germain for a chance to compete in the final in Munich this May.
In light of the challenging situation, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has made several changes to his squad for the crucial encounter. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni returns after serving a one-match suspension in the first leg due to accumulating three yellow cards in the competition. Tchouameni’s presence will provide a much-needed boost to Real Madrid’s midfield as they look to control the game.
Another significant return is that of Dani Ceballos, who has recovered from a muscle injury and is included in the squad. Ceballos had been sidelined for several weeks but made a brief appearance in Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Alaves on Sunday, coming on as a substitute in stoppage time. His inclusion adds depth to the midfield as Los Blancos look to claw their way back into the tie.
However, there are several notable absentees from the squad. Eduardo Camavinga, who was sent off in the first leg after receiving two yellow cards, is unavailable for selection due to suspension. The French midfielder will be missed as Ancelotti looks to reshape his lineup for the decisive match.
Additionally, Real Madrid’s young players—Jacobo Ramon, Gonzalo Garcia, Chema Andres, and Lorenzo Aguado—have not made the cut for the matchday squad. Ancelotti has opted for a 20-man squad for the second leg, a reduction from the 23 players he named for the first leg. Also missing from the squad are Andriy Lunin and Ferland Mendy, both of whom have been struggling with injuries. The two players were confirmed to have trained separately from the rest of the team in their final session ahead of the Arsenal clash.
In his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti expressed confidence that his team has the quality and experience to turn the tie around. “Real Madrid has all the resources we need to turn this tie around. We have the quality, the commitment, the experience of many players, and we have the fans behind us. We just have to get the best out of each player,” the Italian coach stated. He added that, while their style of play might not always be spectacular, the team is focused on playing effective football to achieve the result they need.
As the stage is set for what promises to be an intense battle, Real Madrid will rely on their experience and pedigree in the competition to mount a dramatic comeback and keep their hopes of a 14th European title alive.
Here is the confirmed squad that Carlo Ancelotti has named for the pivotal Champions League encounter against Arsenal:
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Fran Gonzalez, Sergio Mestre.
