Eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Champions League last spring, against Arsenal (5-1 defeat in the cumulative), Real Madrid resumes competition this Tuesday evening against OM, in its lair of Santiago-Bernabéu. The Merengues now led by Xabi Alonso hope to earn more meetings during this first phase in order to finish in the top 8 directly qualifying for the knockout stages.
Last year, Real, with five victories but also three defeats on the clock, had finished 11th in the general classification and had to face Manchester City in play-offs (6-3 victory in the cumulative). The qualification in eighths only occurred at the end of a controversial penalty shootout against Atlético (2-2 in the cumulative, 4-2 at the TAB).
Kylian Mbappé and his teammates are largely favorite in the face of the Phocaeans led by Roberto de Zerbi, authors of a chaotic start to the season, on the field as outside. Nayef Aguerd and Hamed Junior Traoré, two summer recruits, will miss the call for this first European trip (before the reception of Ajax at the Vélodrome, in two weeks.
Real Madrid with two reinforcements of choice
On the Madrid side, Jude Bellingham's return that caused a sensation! Xabi Alonso unveiled his group of 23 players on the eve of the meeting and included his English midfielder. Operated with a shoulder on July 16, the recruited crack in Dortmund was announced unavailable three to four months. Less than two months later, he returned to Real training. His return to competition should be progressive. Ardra Güler still has a few matches in front of him to shine in the midfield while waiting for a tenure of Bellingham.
Eduardo Camavong also returns to the Real group after missing the start of the season due to an ankle injury. Aurélien Tchouameni is present, while Ferland Mendy remains in the recovery phase. In addition to Kylian Mbappé, we find Vinicius, Rodrygo, Gonzalo Garcia, Brahim Diaz and Franco Mastanuono in the offensive sector.
