Arda Guler will replace Jude Bellingham in the Real Madrid starting lineup when they host Juventus at the Santiago Bernabeu for a UEFA Champions League tie on Wednesday.

Real Madrid will aim to continue a flawless start to the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign when they welcome Juventus to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. Xabi Alonso has a new injury concern to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

David Alaba is the latest absentee after sustaining a muscle injury that will force him to miss the next two games, including El Clasico. The Austrian international has joined Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen in the treatment room.

However, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are closing in on returning after resuming training this week, although they will unlikely start against Juventus. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Alonso provided fitness updates on Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold.

The Real Madrid manager said, “We’re going to take it day by day. Today, Trent and Carvajal were able to do part of the session. Tomorrow we’ll train a little bit too, to make the final decisions. On Saturday, I’ll probably give you the final medical report, but as far as tomorrow is concerned, I don’t think they’ll be ready.”

Meanwhile, reporters also quizzed Alonso about Endrick’s game time. He said, “We’re not at that point yet. Competition for places up front is intense. He has to be ready for the moment and the context of each game. That goes for him, Gonzalo and Brahim. They’ll get their chances because there are a lot of games. This is elite football, and we need as many good players as possible.”

Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Juventus on Wednesday. The backline will feature Federico Valverde, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, and Alvaro Carreras, with Asencio replacing Alaba at the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Eduardo Camavinga will pair up with Aurelien Tchouameni in the double pivot, with Arda Guler reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Kylian Mbappe will continue to lead the line for Los Blancos against Juventus, with Vinicius Junior and Franco Mastantuono completing the numbers in the offensive third.

Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Asencio, Carreras; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Mastantuono, Guler, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe