The ‘kings’ of the UEFA Champions League start their 2025/26 campaign on September 16 as Real Madrid host Marseille.
Madrid remain the benchmark in Europe’s top competition with 15 titles won across the old European Cup and the modern UCL formats.
The clash is momentous for Xabi Alonso, who takes charge of the Spanish giants for the first time in a European game, after winning his opening four La Liga matches at the helm this season.
Visitors Marseille land in Madrid on the back of two wins and two defeats in their Ligue 1 campaign to date. Roberto De Zerbi’s side cruised to 4-0 home weekend win over Lorient.
MORE: Champions League fixtures 2025/26: Matchday schedule, results for UCL games this season
Real Madrid vs. Marseille lineups: Starting XI, team news, injury latest
Madrid have been rocked by the news that veteran defender Antonio Rudiger could be sidelined for three months with a hamstring issue. The Germany international could be out of action until the start of 2026, although a December return is possible.
On the flip side, however, Jude Bellingham is a shock squad inclusion by Alonso, with his recovery from shoulder surgery well ahead of schedule. Also surprisingly in the matchday squad is Eduardo Camavinga who is back from an ankle injury. Alonso said he “doesn’t know” if either will see the field, but both do appear on the bench.
Rodrygo gets the start on his natural left side, with Vinicius Jr. left out of the XI for a spot on the bench. Dean Huijsen’s red card in the win at Real Sociedad on the weekend does not impact Champions League games so the Spaniard is eligible to play.
Real Madrid starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Courtois (GK) — 12. Alexander-Arnold, 3. Militao, 24. Huijsen, 18. Carreras — 8. Valverde, 15. Guler, 14. Tchouameni — 30. Mastantuono, 10. Mbappe, 11. Rodrygo.
Injured: Rudiger (hamstring), Bellingham (shoulder, doubt), Mendy (thigh), Endrick (hamstring)
Suspended: None
Marseille were bolstered over the summer with De Zerbi bringing in former Premier League trio Angel Gomes, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
USMNT striker Timothy Weah also joined on a season-long loan from Juventus with Matt O’Riley landing on a similar deal from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Striker Amine Gouiri makes the bench despite suffering a knock in the Lorient win. Nayef Aguerd misses out due to concussion, as does Hamad Junior Traore who has a thigh problem.
Marseille starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Rulli (GK) — 32. Medina, 28. Pavard, 5. Balerdi, 33. Emerson — 23. Hojbjerg, 19. Kondogbia — 10. Greenwood, 17. O’Riley, 22. Weah — 97. Aubameyang.
Injured: Aguerd (concussion), Blanco (knee), Traore (thigh).
Suspended: None.
Real Madrid vs. Marseille match details
- Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
- Kickoff time: 9 p.m. local / 8 p.m. BST
- Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid (Spain)
- Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase Matchday 1
- Referee: Irfan Peljto (BIH)
- VAR: Dennis Higler (NED)
