The White squad hopes to achieve a historic comeback in their favorite competition

Carlo Ancelotti is already thinking about his starting eleven for the return leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Real Madrid and Arsenal meet again for the Champions League quarterfinals. The resolution of this knockout stage is one of the most important matches in the 24/25 season for both teams: the top continental competition is their major competitive bet, as well as the most accessible title right now.

Carlo Ancelotti counts on Dani Ceballos as the big news for this clash against the Gunner squad, and everything points to the starting position of the Sevillian ‘19’. After his physical test in the Mendizorroza stoppage time, the Andalusian midfielder could be one of the chosen ones to start at Santiago Bernabéu.

Declan Rice scored two free-kick goals in the Arsenal-Real Madrid match.

The victory against Deportivo Alavés allows Real Madrid to stay in the fight for the LaLiga leadership. Meanwhile, it would enable some unexpected changes by Carlo Ancelotti for his starting eleven against the English discipline given other injured and suspended footballers.

Despite the advances launched by various media outlets, Carlo Ancelotti wouldn’t want to risk too much with his starting eleven. While it is true that he needs to score at least three goals, the tactical proposal of the Reggiolo coach would be: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García; Tchouaméni, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius, Mbappé.

Different Situations

In contrast, Arsenal arrives with a very comfortable lead from the first leg… although they have received important warnings about the mystique of Santiago Bernabéu and the possibilities of a new comeback by Real Madrid in the European Cup. Mikel Arteta, increasingly distant from the possibility of winning the Premier League, would rely everything on this second leg by lining up his best available footballers.

The Gunner sports discipline doesn’t want to leave anything to chance and could repeat both the scheme and the game plan that worked so well for them at the Emirates Stadium. Thus, Arsenal could well field a starting eleven consisting of: David Raya; Timber, William Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Declan Rice; Saka, Mikel Merino, Martinelli.

Rodrygo Goes and Declan Rice during the Arsenal-Real Madrid quarterfinal.

The match between Real Madrid and Arsenal will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu. Both will meet today, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 9 PM in a clash refereed by the Frenchmen François Letexier and Jérôme Brissard.