Real Madrid find themselves in a do-or-die scenario when they square off against Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s troops face an uphill task as they must produce one of their iconic Champions League comebacks if they’re to overturn the first-leg deficit and stay in pursuit of an unprecedented 16th European crown.
Ancelotti has been managing a star-studded squad that defies logic on paper. They remain tactically unbalanced and injury-plagued, yet somehow, Los Blancos remain in the fray for an unlikely treble. But their first piece of silverware could slip through their fingers this week if they aren’t able to change their fortunes against a resurgent Arsenal.
Declan Rice was the star of the show in the first leg, bending in two stunning David Beckham-Esque free-kicks, while Mikel Merino added a late third to give the Gunners a healthy advantage.
Arsenal, who haven’t made a Champions League semi-final appearance since their defeat to Manchester United in the 2010/11 season, now stand just one step away from ending that long wait.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Real Madrid vs. Arsenal live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Champions League match in the U.S.:
TV channel: —
Live stream: Paramount+
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the United States. Streaming options are available on Paramount+, which is offering a FREE trial to new subscribers.
What time does Real Madrid vs. Arsenal kick off?
This Champions League clash takes place at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, Spain and kicks off on Wednesday, April 16 at 9:00 p.m. local time (CEST).
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Wed, Apr. 16 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Wed, Apr. 16 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Wed, Apr. 16 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Wed, Apr. 16 | 12:00 p.m. |
Real Madrid vs. Arsenal predicted lineups, team news
The left-back position has given Carlo Ancelotti a headache all season. Ferland Mendy has been in and out of the lineup with injuries and will miss out here, and Fran Garcia has not proven a capable backup. It could see Eduardo Camavinga moved out wide to fill the hole, leaving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni to pair at the base of midfield.
Otherwise, the rest of the Real Madrid starters are fully healthy. It’s unclear whether Andriy Lunin will be available off the bench to back up goalkeeping superstar Thibaut Courtois, while Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are long-term absentees.
Real Madrid predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Asensio, Rudiger, Camavinga — Valverde, Tchouameni — Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. — Mbappe.
Injured: Lunin (muscle, doubt), Mendy (hamstring), Carvajal (ACL), Militao (ACL).
Suspended: None.
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Arsenal have Bukayo Saka back from his long-term hamstring injury, and the star forward was rested over the weekend, playing 27 minutes off the bench in the Premier League draw with Brentford. So too were starters Martin Odegaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jurrien Timber, and Mikel Merino all who should rotate back in.
The Gunners are still without long-term absentees Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, while Riccardo Calafiori still needs a bit longer to return from his knee injury suffered on international duty.
The status of Ben White and Jorginho will be monitored ahead of the match, while Thomas Partey is expected to be available in full despite picking up a niggle on the weekend.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly — Odegaard, Partey, Rice — Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
Injured: White (knock, doubt), Jorginho (rib, doubt), Gabriel (hamstring), Havertz (hamstring), Jesus (ACL), Tomiyasu (knee), Calafiori (knee).
Suspended: None.
Champions League fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Tuesday, April 15
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona (3:00 p.m.)
- Aston Villa vs. Paris Saint-Germain (3:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 16
- Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich (3:00 p.m.)
- Real Madrid vs. Arsenal (3:00 p.m.)
