Real Madrid and AC Milan are set to face off in a highly anticipated Champions League showdown on Tuesday night, with some exciting lineup news and crucial injury updates.
For AC Milan, winger Rafael Leao, who had been sidelined to the bench for the past two games, will start against Real Madrid. Manager Paulo Fonseca confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Leao is back in the starting XI, eager to make an impact on one of the grandest stages in European football. Fonseca expressed confidence in Leao, saying, “He’s accustomed to this level of competition. Tomorrow, what I hope for is that he feels ready to make a difference, to be the exceptional player we know he can be.”
Despite Leao’s return, Milan will still be missing key players, with Ismael Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi unavailable due to ongoing injuries. Additionally, forward Alvaro Morata must tread carefully—one yellow card will see him suspended for Milan’s next game, a tricky scenario as he returns to the Bernabeu, where he spent key years of his career.
On the Real Madrid side, manager Carlo Ancelotti seems ready to stick with his core squad, despite a disappointing Clasico defeat to Barcelona. Ancelotti’s team faces no new injuries, although several players remain sidelined. Rodrygo is still nursing a hamstring injury and aims for a post-international break return, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who sustained a groin injury, will also miss out. Defenders Dani Carvajal and David Alaba continue to recover from longer-term issues.
Although Ancelotti has the option of bringing Luka Modric into the midfield, it’s expected that the younger midfield trio—Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Federico Valverde—will keep their spots. Real’s attacking lineup will feature their most explosive players: Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior. This trio, especially with Mbappe and Vinicius keen to prove their worth after missing out on the Ballon d’Or, will likely be the ones to watch in Madrid’s attempt to secure a vital win.
Predicted Lineups:
Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius
Unavailable: Courtois, Alaba, Carvajal, Rodrygo
AC Milan XI: Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Loftus-Cheek; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Leao; Morata
Unavailable: Bennacer, Florenzi, Gabbia
Match Details:
- Kickoff: 8 pm GMT, Tuesday, November 5, 2024
- Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
This clash promises high stakes and high intensity, with both teams vying to establish dominance in their Champions League group.
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