Real Madrid confirmed starting lineup against Celta Vigo in LaLiga
Xabi Alonso plans his return home with Valverde at right-back and Güler back in the starting eleven.
From San Mamés to the Bernabéu. From turning a thorny away trip into a moment of relief to hoping that the assault on San Mamés becomes the start of something meaningful. In the heat of a coliseum that feels impregnable, Xabi will look to defend it with principles similar to the ones he applied in Bilbao. Four midfielders and two daggers up front: Vinicius and Mbappé.
That part is non-negotiable, even more so now that tempers have cooled around the Brazilian and the Frenchman has been in blistering form all season. These are the main chords in the search for that “rock and roll,” but not the whole song. Because after Celta come City, just three days later, and that matters.
That is why Xabi plans to rest Rüdiger. He has started twice since returning from injury, and there is no desire to take unnecessary risks — especially given the care his body demands, the form he has shown since coming back, and the small matter of Haaland looming.
Against Celta, Asensio will play, and not at centre-back but on the right. On the left, Fran García will start on the left, with Carreras and Militão in the middle.
With Güler back, the perpetual aim is to make him and Bellingham click — to complement each other without occupying the same spaces.
Initially, the Turk will start on the right and the Englishman on the left. That is in defence; in attack, both will operate as false wingers, effectively two attacking midfielders.
They will have to channel Real Madrid’s football. Tchouameni remains essential, and will play alongside Valverde.
👕 All set in our dressing room! pic.twitter.com/4rb39gfuPH
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 7, 2025
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Here’s the official Real Madrid starting XI vs Celta de Vigo: Courtois; Asencio, Militão, Carreras, Fran García; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler; Bellingham; Mbappé y Vinicius.
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