Real Madrid (h)

This is what Champions League football is all about, welcoming Spanish giants, current holders and the most successful club in the competition history to the Emirates Stadium.

Our history against Real Madrid is a very short story - but very sweet. Back in 2006 we met them in the last 16. A 1-0 win at the Bernabeu courtesy of a great solo goal by Thierry Henry coupled with a 0-0 home draw saw us through. Famously on those nights we had a back 4 of Flamini, Toure, Senderos and Eboue but still managed to keep out a Madrid side that boasted Ronaldo9, Raul, Zidane, Beckham, Guti, Roberto Carlos, Robinho and others.

Like us, Real do have injury concerns. Courtois, Carvajal, Eder Militao, Mendy and Ceballos were among those out at the weekend. Courtois and Mendy could be back, but at the weekend they had to field a weakened side including 3rd choice 'keeper Fran. There was a bit of rotation, although all the big guns (Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius) started in a 2-1 home defeat to Valencia. It means, like us, Real sit in 2nd place - although they are closer to the top side than us.

We could see the following line up tomorrow night against us:
Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe




As said, we rotated a fair bit on Saturday. Important minutes were given to White and Saka after their injury lay-offs. The likes of Odegaard, Martinelli and Timber were given some time off before being introduced off the bench. Partey was completely rested.
It is very unlikely we will have anyone back for this, with Calafiori facing a fight to be ready for the 2nd leg.

With a few players short of match fitness, the XI we could see tomorrow for us may look like this:
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice Odegaard; Saka, Merino, Martinelli


Exciting times, can we repeat the 2006 success??