Champions League Clash: Ancelotti Names Star-Studded XI as Real Madrid Aim for Arsenal Comeback
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed his starting XI for Wednesday night’s high-stakes UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal — and it’s clear he’s going all out in search of a miracle comeback.
Trailing 3-0 from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, Los Blancos will need something truly special at the Santiago Bernabéu to overturn the deficit. Ancelotti’s response? A frontline bursting with pace, flair, and firepower — Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Rodrygo will all start against the Gunners in what promises to be a pulsating showdown.
Surprisingly, captain and midfield legend Luka Modric has been benched, with Aurélien Tchouaméni getting the nod alongside Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham in the midfield. That decision reflects a focus on athleticism and defensive solidity, perhaps to balance the attacking intent upfront.
Here’s how Real Madrid line up: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Alaba; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappé, Rodrygo.
The match kicks off at 8:00 PM Nigerian time, with everything on the line.
Opinion: Is the Comeback Dream Alive for Madrid?
Let’s be honest — a 3-0 first-leg deficit in the Champions League is a mountain, even for Real Madrid. But if there’s one team in Europe known for defying the odds, it’s the 14-time champions. Add in the electric energy of the Bernabéu, the deadly pace of Vinicius and Mbappé, and the unpredictability of knockout football… and suddenly, hope flickers.
Ancelotti’s decision to bench Modric is bold, perhaps even controversial, but it signals a willingness to try something different — something aggressive. Madrid needs to be sharp, clinical, and mentally ruthless. Early goals will be crucial.
Arsenal, on the other hand, know the pressure is on their hosts. If they can weather the storm and strike on the counter, it could be curtains for Madrid. But if the Spanish giants get an early breakthrough, buckle up — it could turn into one of those magical European nights we talk about for years.
Whether it ends in glory or heartbreak, this is why we love the Champions League. The drama is alive — and tonight, Madrid will try to write another incredible chapter.
