Ancelotti’s major selection dilemma ahead of Real Madrid’s UCL opener against Arsenal

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti must decide where to field Federico Valverde at the Emirates Stadium today, as the tournament holders take on Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Valverde position “a question mark”

Although chiefly a midfielder, Valverde has operated at right-back on several occasions this season, in the absence of long-term injury victim Dani Carvajal.

It is thought likelier that the Uruguayan will play in Madrid’s midfield in North London - with Lucas Vázquez given the nod on the right of defense - but Ancelotti said yesterday that he was still to reach a final decision.

“It’s a question mark for us,” the Italian told his pre-match press conference. “[Valverde] does so many things so well: full-back, midfielder... We need to think about where he’s going to bring most to the team."

Courtois back for visitors

Meanwhile, Madrid will be boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the Emirates.

The Belgian confirmed to reporters yesterday that he has fully recovered from the muscle strain he suffered in mid-March, caused him to miss the 15-time European champions’ last three games.

Modric waiting in the wings if Valverde used in defense

If Valverde is deployed in Madrid’s engine room against Arsenal, he can be expected to play alongside Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, behind Jude Bellingham at No. 10.

Should Ancelotti finally opt to field Valverde at right-back, the veteran Luka Modric would be next in line to partner Camavinga.

With Dani Ceballos injured and Aurélien Tchouaméni suspended, Ancelotti has few other midfield options. The Madrid boss’s only other alternatives would be to draft in the 19-year-old youth product Chema Andrés, or play attacker Arda Güler in a significantly deeper role than usual.

Mendy missing again

Madrid are also without left-back Ferland Mendy. The Frenchman has failed to recover in time from a thigh injury, meaning Fran García is set to start in his place, alongside central defenders Raúl Asencio and Antonio Rüdiger.

Up front, Kylian Mbappé will be flanked by Vinícius Júnior on the left and Rodrygo Goes on the right. The attacking trio have hit the net 19 times between them in the Champions League this season - just under 70% of Madrid’s goals in Europe’s premier club competition.

Real Madrid’s possible line-up vs Arsenal:

Courtois; Vázquez/Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García; Valverde/Modric, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappé.

Arsenal vs Real Madrid: when, where, how to watch

In the first leg of the 2024/25 Champions League quarter-finals, Arsenal host Real Madrid today, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT.

Viewers in the United States can watch the game on Paramount+, ViX, TUDN USA and Univisión. You can stream TUDN and Univisión on the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free trial.

What were Real Madrid and Arsenal’s most recent results?

Madrid head into the Champions League quarter-finals on the back of a 2-1 LaLiga defeat to Valencia on Saturday - an unexpected home reverse that allowed Barcelona to extend their lead at the top of the league to four points.

Arsenal also failed to win at the weekend, although their 1-1 draw at Everton edged them closer to Premier League leaders Liverpool, who lost away to Fulham.

However, the Reds remain all but certain to win the English title, with the second-placed Gunners 11 points adrift.

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