Mendy, Mbappe start in a 4-4-2 – How Real Madrid can line up against Bayern Munich

Mendy, Mbappe start in a 4-4-2 – How Real Madrid can line up against Bayern Munich

Real Madrid will take on Bayern Munich tonight at the Allianz Arena in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

Having suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of the German champions in the first leg, the Merengues go into tonight’s clash at a disadvantage with the hope of mounting a special comeback.

Form, however, is not on their side as Real Madrid have failed to win any of their three games since the international break – losing to Mallorca and Bayern Munich before drawing against Girona.

The bad results in La Liga have all but ended their hopes of a title, leaving the Champions League as the only avenue to end the season with a trophy.

But it will be anything but easy to get past Bayern Munich, who have been one of the best teams in Europe under Vincent Kompany and boast of an exceptional record at home.

Whoever wins will have PSG waiting in the semi-finals of the competition, after the reigning European champions eliminated Liverpool.

Here’s how Alvaro Arbeloa could line up his team at the Allianz Arena tonight with the aim of overturning the first-leg deficit and progressing to the next round.

Defence

Real Madrid continue to be without their first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and as such, it will be Andriy Lunin who will be guarding the goal again.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, is expected to return to the starting XI, replacing captain Dani Carvajal at right-back after the veteran started the game against Girona last week.

Antonio Rudiger, who was also rested for the league fixture, will return to the side, slotting in alongside Eder Militao at the heart of the Real Madrid defence. It would mean no place in the team for Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio.

Set to return to the lineup. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Ferland Mendy has returned to full fitness and is back in the squad. Considering how Alvaro Carreras fared in the first leg against Michael Olise, the seasoned left-back is expected to start ahead of the summer signing.

Midfield

Aurelien Tchouameni’s absence for the game due to a suspension creates a major quandary for Arbeloa with regard to his midfield setup for the Bayern Munich clash.

Eduardo Camavinga would be the logical option to replace his compatriot, but it is likely that Federico Valverde moves into the central midfield role after having been deployed on the right flank in recent weeks.

The Uruguayan international is set to be partnered with youngster Thiago Pitarch, who has impressed with his work rate and maturity in his breakthrough campaign.

Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham is expected to operate out on the left, from where he will drift inwards and support the two forwards.

The final position, on the right wing, will be a toss-up between Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler, with the latter expected to get the nod.

Attack

As for the attacking unit, there is simply no looking past the megastar duo of Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe, with Real Madrid looking at them to come up with the goods to see them through to the next round.

Gonzalo Garcia, Brahim Diaz, and Franco Mastantuono, back from suspension, will be options off the bench.