Real Madrid Lineup vs Bayern: Big Calls, Surprise Inclusions & Confirmed Team News

The quarter-final stage of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League is here as Real Madrid are all set to take on Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich in the first leg at the Bernabeu. This is the first time the two teams have faced off since that dramatic comeback in 2024, courtesy of a certain Joselu.

Los Blancos defeated Manchester City over the two legs in the Round of 16 to set up this mouth-watering European Clasico once again in Europe's biggest club competition. However, a disappointing loss to Mallorca in the domestic league might have dampened the mood a bit.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid have proved to be a different gravy in this competition, and Álvaro Arbeloa will look to inspire his team to another memorable UCL night.

Bayern Munich obliterated Atalanta in the Round of 16, sending a message across the world that they are a team to look out for this season. The absolute juggernaut that Kompany has created has been a force to reckon with, where each player steps up their game when it matters the most.

The Bavarians are coming off a 3-2 comeback win against SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga, so it is safe to say that their morale is at an all-time high. The German giants will look to avenge their defeat from the 2023/24 season and qualify for the semifinals, where either Arsenal or Sporting CP will be waiting for them.

Ahead of the crucial clash in the UEFA Champions League, Sportsdunia brings you the Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich lineups, where we will discuss how the two teams have shaped up for this game.

Real Madrid Lineup vs Bayern

Alvaro Arbeloa has gone with his usual 4-4-2 formation that helped him see off Benfica and Manchester City in the previous rounds. However, there's a twist in this Real Madrid lineup as Kylian Mbappe is back on the front, which means Brahim Diaz sits this game out.

It is quite surprising to see that Thiago Pitarch has kept his place in the Real Madrid CF lineup, despite the likes of Jude Bellingham attaining full fitness, which shows how much Arbeloa trusts the Spaniard. Eduardo Camavinga could have been an option, too, but Pitarch's output in the last few games has been exceptional.

Pitarch is usually given the freedom to roam around the field as much as he wants, chasing every second ball and going for every possible duel in the game. This attribute of his helps Federic Valverde move higher up the pitch, making dangerous runs in and around the box, as we witnessed in the Round of 16 first leg against one of the best clubs in the world currently, Manchester City.

Dean Huijsen starts alongside Rudiger, given that the ball-playing abilities of the duo are pretty decent. Los Blancos are missing some quality players due to injuries, like Mendy, Courtois, and Rodrygo.

The centre-backs will be keeping a close eye on one of the best strikers in the world currently, Harry Kane, who tends to drop deep at times to facilitate darting runs behind the defence from pacy wingers like Luis Diaz and Michael Olise. Alvaro Carreras is deputed to minimise Olise's threat as much as possible, but not to let him cut inside and create as many chances as he can. Vinicius' track back chore will be crucial, as the Frenchman can easily beat anyone on his day in a one-vs-one duel.

Similarly, Federico Valverde will help Trent on the right to see off Luis Diaz. The three Bayern players mentioned hold the key to the Bavarians' success in this match, so Los Blancos need to be very compact starting from the midfield, without over-committing while pressing.

Real Madrid Starting XI vs Bayern

Check out the Real Madrid Lineup from the Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich Lineups.

Lunin; Trent, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Pitarch, Tchouameni, Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.

Bayern Lineup vs Real Madrid

Let's analyse the Bayern lineup here. Vincent Kompany has fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandr Pavlovic are playing in a double pivot. Manuel Neuer is back under the posts, which will act as an extra motivation to the outfield players in this matchup.

It is sure that Bayern will keep the most possession, with players like Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Luis Diaz, and Harry Kane being the crucial elements to their success at the Bernabeu. The trio of Olise, Diaz, and Gnabry keep exchanging positions, which makes it hard for the opponent to track them down individually.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a weak link in the Real Madrid defense, which both Luis Diaz and Olise might look to exploit from time to time in this game. Josip Stanisic and Konrad Laimer seem to be the weakest links in the game, which Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde might exploit if given space.

Kompany knows that even a draw in this game would be a massive thing to take back home, so keeping the defensive line compact is the key to containing the likes of Kylian Mbappe, who can use his pace to outfox any of the two centre-backs, Upamecano and Tah.

Bayern Starting XI vs Real Madrid

Here's the Bayern lineup from the Real Madrid vs Bayern Lineups.

Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Luis Diaz; Kane;