This is Real Madrid’s projected lineup for a crunch UCL clash with Man City

After a home LaLiga defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday, Real Madrid is a team in turmoil as it returns to Champions League duty.

Xabi Alonso’s stuttering side is still searching for form - and now hosts Manchester City, a City team flying high thanks to Erling Haaland’s incredible scoring exploits. It’s the marquee European rivalry of recent years, another chapter following last season’s clash, which Madrid won convincingly.

Injury crisis leaves Madrid defense in shreds

But everything suggests this time will be much tougher for Los Blancos. City looks sharper, and Madrid is going through a rough patch marked by poor performances, disappointing results, and a wave of injuries. Especially at the back: six of the ten defenders on the roster are out: Dean Huijsen, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, and Ferland Mendy.

That means Xabi will have to piece together a back line with Antonio Rüdiger and Raúl Asencio, his only fit center backs. On the right, there are no natural fullbacks available, so expect to see Fede Valverde filling in again. On the left, Álvaro Carreras gets the nod. Between the posts, there’s no debate: Thibaut Courtois.

In midfield, all signs point to Xabi sticking with the 4-4-2 that worked well at San Mamés, though he doesn’t have the same personnel this time. Eduardo Camavinga remains sidelined, and with Valverde dropping into defense, there’s a gap in the middle that Dani Ceballos will fill alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni, with Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham operating in the half-spaces.

Up front, Vinícius Júnior is a lock. The question is who partners him. Normally, that would be Kylian Mbappé, but the Frenchman fractured a finger against Celta and is also dealing with muscle discomfort.

Madrid didn’t release a squad list on Tuesday, hoping he feels better by Wednesday, but his chances of playing are slim. If he can’t go, Gonzalo García will step in.

The injury crisis means Xabi will also have to call up academy players. AS understands that Víctor Valdepeñas, Joan Martínez, and Jorge Cestero - two defenders and a holding midfielder - will be included. And it wouldn’t be surprising to see another addition, like fullback David Jiménez.

Projected Real Madrid XI to face Man City:

Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Carreras; Güler, Ceballos, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Gonzalo or Mbappé and Vinícius.

Real Madrid vs Manchester City: time, how to watch

On matchday six of the 2025/26 Champions League, Madrid and City meet at the Bernabéu on Wednesday, December 10, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the U.S. will be able to watch the game on Paramount+.

And wherever you are in the world, you’ll have the option of following live-text coverage of the game, right here at AS USA.

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