Real Madrid predicted line-up vs. RB Salzburg: Champions League

On By Littum

Real Madrid’s first Champions League match in 2025 will be against RB Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

With only two Champions League games remaining before the knockout rounds, Real Madrid must end the new league phase strongly. The defending European champions have just nine points from six UCL matches after suffering defeats to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool. To secure their place in the knockout stage playoffs, Los Blancos must collect all six points from their remaining matches, starting with Salzburg.

Carlo Ancelotti is still without the injured Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão, but Aurélien Tchouaméni is back after sitting out the weekend with left leg discomfort. David Alaba could also feature against Salzburg after making his long-awaited return against Las Palmas.

Lucas Vázquez, meanwhile, is suspended for the game against Salzburg, leaving Ancelotti without a single right-back in his squad.

This is how Real Madrid’s XI could look against Salzburg on January 22.

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GK: Thibaut Courtois– The Belgian has only kept two clean sheets in his last nine starts.

RB: Fat Valverde– With Vázquez suspended, Valverde is ready to return to his relief duties.

CB: Raúl Asencio-The 21-year-old should get the nod along with Rüdiger as Alaba works his way to full match fitness.

CB: Antonio Rudiger– The centre-back has scored two goals this season, and both came in the Champions League.

LB: Ferland Mendy– Expect Mendy to return to the left flank after Fran García played 90 minutes at the weekend.

DM: Dani Ceballos– With Valverde stuck at right-back, Ceballos is set to start his second Champions League game this season.

DM: Aurélien Tchouaméni— The Frenchman will start in Ancelotti’s double focal point as long as he is fully fit. If he can only come off the bench, expect Luka Modrić to take his place.

RW: Rodrygo– Rodrygo has found the back of the net in six of his last eight appearances.

AM: Jude Bellingham– Bellingham will be eager to break its four goal drought. The last time Real Madrid played in the Champions League, the England international scored the winner against Atalanta.

LW: Vinicius Junior– The Brazilian should find plenty of success against a Salzburg defense that has conceded nine goals in its last two games.

ST: Kylian Mbappé—The 26-year-old leads the team with 18 goals across all competitions.

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