Real Madrid have no injury concerns for tonight’s Champions League final showdown with Liverpool as David Alaba returns to start.
While their opponents have been fighting for trophies across a number of fronts, Madrid have been afforded the luxury of relaxing somewhat of late.
The LaLiga title was wrapped up weeks ago and the squad are in a good place ahead of the trip to Paris. While Carlo Ancelotti’s first-choice XI has largely picked itself this season, the most interesting debate came on the right-hand side of the attack.
Rodrygo, of course, has played a huge role in getting Madrid to the final but the added protection Federico Valverde provides has been preferred against such a dangerous Liverpool team. Marco Asensio, the hero against Juventus in 2017, is on the bench.
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Alaba has shaken off injury worries to return alongside Eder Militao, while Karim Benzema and Luka Modric will lead the team into their fifth Champions League final in eight years. Dani Carvajal, Casemiro and Toni Kroos all provide valuable experience as well.
Gareth Bale is included on the bench after missing the last six weeks of the season alongside fellow departee Isco and the rarely-seen Eden Hazard.
“I am very happy, relaxed, very confident, I know tomorrow that I will be a bit concerned when the afternoon comes,” said Ancelotti on Friday. “But then I look at the face of the players, and it gives me lots of confidence.”
Real Madrid Starting XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Casemiro, Modric, Kroos, Valverde, Vinicius, Benzema
Subs: Lunin, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Marcelo, Lucas, Bale, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Isco, Mariano, Camavinga
Venue: Stade de France
Time and date: 8pm BST, Saturday May 28, 2022
TV channel and live stream: BT Sport
Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)
