The Champions League quarterfinal match between Real Madrid and Arsenal is a crucial moment for both teams as they compete for trophies this season. Both teams are in different positions coming into this game.
The first match will be at Arsenal`s home stadium, Emirates Stadium, on Tuesday. Arsenal, who have been more consistent in the Champions League, see this as their last chance to win a trophy this season. It`s been 19 years since they reached the semifinals, showing the challenge ahead.
Manager Mikel Arteta emphasizes the importance of this game, calling it the most important of his career.
`This is huge for the club and our fans. This is where Arsenal should be consistently,` Arteta said. `It`s been 20 years since we had a game like this at this stage, and it`s a great chance to make our own history.`
Arteta has lineup decisions to make for Tuesday`s game. Bukayo Saka is available, but Gabriel is out for the season with a hamstring injury. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are also unavailable due to long-term injuries.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti needs to balance his talented squad. Players like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior are expected to play. Ancelotti is finding replacements for Dani Ceballos, who is injured, and Dani Carvajal, who is recovering from a knee injury. Federico Valverde is a versatile player who can fill different roles for Real Madrid.
`We are considering where Valverde will play,` Ancelotti said. `He is very versatile and can play in the middle or on the side. I need to decide.`
Here are the predicted lineups for the Arsenal vs. Real Madrid Champions League match.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba; Rodrygo, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham; Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, April 8
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Emirates Stadium — London
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Arsenal +125; Draw +220; Real Madrid +230
