Real Madrid Welcome Back Vinicius Jr. and Valverde for Champions League Clash with Bayern Munich
Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde return to Real Madrid’s starting lineup for tonight’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Valverde had missed Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Real Mallorca over the weekend due to suspension, following a red card in the victory against Atletico Madrid before the international break. Vinicius Jr., on the other hand, was rested for part of that match, coming off the bench in the second half to replace Manuel Angel Moran as Los Blancos chased an equaliser. Both players reclaim their spots in the starting XI, with Moran and Brahim Diaz making way.
Jude Bellingham is fit after a hamstring injury but starts on the bench, with Thiago Pitarch paired alongside Aurelien Tchouameni in central midfield. Real Madrid will be without Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo for both legs, while Dani Ceballos makes the bench despite doubts over his fitness, and Ferland Mendy does not feature.
For Bayern Munich, the lineup is strengthened by the return of Harry Kane, who trained with the squad on Monday after missing the weekend win over Freiburg due to an ankle issue and England duty. Kane, who has netted ten Champions League goals this season, leads the attack with support from Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, and Luis Diaz.
Manuel Neuer, Jamal Musiala, and Alphonso Davies have all returned to fitness since Bayern’s win over Atalanta, although Musiala and Davies are on the bench as their playing time is managed.
Real Madrid Starting XI (4-4-2): Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Pitarch, Tchouameni, Arda Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Subs: Gonzalez, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Bellingham, Camavinga, Garcia, Asencio, Ceballos, Garcia, Diaz, Mastantuono
Injured: Courtois, Rodrygo
Bayern Munich Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Gnabry, Olise, Diaz; Kane
Subs: Urbig, Kim, Goretzka, Musiala, Jackson, Davies, Bischof, Ito, Guerreiro, Karl
Kick-off: 8:00 PM BST, Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Both teams will be eager to secure an advantage in this pivotal first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
