1 week Ago By Arthur Ferridge
Real Madrid have been boosted by the fitness of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal . Courtois missed Saturday’s 2-1 La Liga defeat to Valencia and his back-up Andriy Lunin is out injured, so third-choice Fran Gonzalez made his Real debut. But Courtois says he is “fully fit” and he is set to start at Emirates Stadium.
Carlo Ancelotti is facing a series of tricky selection decisions for the game in north London. The Italian has a strong record against Arsenal, winning seven of his 13 career matches against the Gunners, but the Real squad has been hit by injuries in defence, with Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao sidelined. Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended after picking up his third Champions League booking of the season in the last-16 second-leg win over Atletico Madrid.
Ferland Mendy is expected to be fit after missing the Valencia game at the weekend. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, who have 51 goals between them this season, will start in attack. Star man Jude Bellingham should also start, facing Arsenal for the first time in his career.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. Injured: Carvajal, Ceballos, Militao Suspended: Tchouameni Time and date: 8pm BST on Tuesday April 7, 2025 Venue: Emirates Stadium How to watch: Amazon Prime.
