Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are the main novelties for Real Madrid to travel to Manchester. It is extraordinary news for Alvaro Arbeloa, who recovers his top scorer for a key match. He does so in the return leg of a tie that is played with a safety net, with a 3-0 lead that in principle may allow the coach to regulate his star and not force him on a night of comeback. The idea with Mbappe is to go little by little as long as the night at the Etihad does not go too wrong. Bellingham‘s inclusion is surprising, as he does not seem to be ready for many minutes.
Alvaro Carreras also travels with the expedition, so Madrid also has the left-back position covered with two players. It does not seem that he will be a starter, as Fran Garcia, who played very well against Elche, is in pole position. He also recovers Alaba for the center of defense, but not Asencio. The news from the infirmary is certainly not as dramatic as it was in the first leg.
The squad is once again full of youth players after the boost it gave the academy to see how five players had minutes (and quite a few) against Elche. Fran Gonzalez, Diego Aguado, Mario Rivas, Cestero, Thiago Pitarch, Manuel Angel and Palacios travel. Madrid go into the game with Militao, Asencio, Mendy, Rodrygo and Ceballos out through injury.
REAL MADRID SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Fran Gonzalez.
Defenders: Carvajal, Alaba, Trent, Carreras, Fran Garcia, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Diego Aguado and Mario Rivas.
Midfielders: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Cestero, Manuel Angel, Palacios and Thiago.
Forwards: Vini, Mbappe, Gonzalo, Brahim and Mastantuono.
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