Real Madrid vs Chelsea confirmed lineups as Carvajal, Marcelo, Kroos start for Madrid while Pulisic and Mount behind Werner Champions League semifinals first leg
Real Madrid host Chelsea at Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium for semifinals first leg of the UEFA Champions League in what is much anticipated battle between the Spanish side and the Premier League outfit.
Zidane is looking forward, with a good results over the two legs, to make his fourth Champions League finals as Los Blancos manager while Thomas Tuchel is hoping to record his second and successive final in his career as a coach.
Today’s game will have much bigger impact on both managers’ ambition and has opted to name strong and tactical eleven to face each other.
With key men Sergio Ramos, Lucas Vazquez, Ferland Mendy and Fede Valverde missing for Real Madrid due to injuries, Zidane has opted for a 3-5-2 formation as the absence of full back pair Vazquez and Mendy has forced the manage into a rethink of his defensive shape where three centre-backs now across the back line.
In posts, Thibaut Courtois makes his 11th Champions League starts this season as Nacho, Varane and Militao complete the back three.
Dani Carvajal gets his second start since returning from injury and will be supported by Casemiro, Modric, Kroos who replaces Isco in Laliga tie against Real Betis and Marcelo who returns after being dropped in last weekend draw.
In attacking line, Vinicius Junior partners Karim Benzema, with the Brazilian playing just behind the Los Blancos captain for the night.
For Thomas Tuchel, he has been forced to name Jorginho and Kante in central midfield after former Madridista Mateo Kovacic failing to recover in time. The duo will be supported in right and left wing backs by César Azpilicueta and Ben Chilwell respectively.
The Chelsea captain gets the nod over Reece James- whose position is taken over by Azpilicueta due to Andreas Christensen playing in a three centre-back along with Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger.
Pulisic has been selected ahead of Hakim Ziyech as the American International pairs with Mason Mount in two behind Timo Werner who leads the line for Chelsea this evening.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Nacho, Varane, Militao; Carvajal, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Marcelo; Vinicius, Benzema
Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Silva, Rudiger, Chilwell, Jorginho, Kante, Mount, Pulisic, Werner
