Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad in a fairly tight affair on Saturday afternoon, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler securing Xabi Alonso’s fourth La Liga win in charge of Los Blancos.
It was anything but chaotic, with Dean Huijsen receiving a ridiculous sending off from the referee in the first half, for something that is never a red card.
However, the club got the job done, and now, they look at the Champions League, where they face Marseille at the fabled Santiago Bernabeu.
Alonso will no doubt have to think about Huijsen’s La Liga suspension, as well as rest or start a few players depending on how much they have played.
Real Madrid predicted XI to face Marseille
GK Thibaut Courtois
The surprise of this millennium. A shock. The best goalkeeper in the world starts a game for the best club in the world in the best club competition in the world. An absolute shocker, if you ask me.
Courtois was crucial against La Real, making a number of key saves that kept Real Madrid ahead. Expect that to tone down once they have 11 players on the pitch, but Courtois will still be crucial to the win.
Marseille are not going to be pushovers – not in the slightest. Courtois will be key.
RB Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent did not start in the game against Real Sociedad on the weekend – which is not what I expected, to be absolutely fair – but he should against Marseille.
The biggest reason why Real Madrid must have signed him is that he loves the competition as much as he should if he wears the famous white.
He brings his best in this competition, and that will start soon. Trent will be back for the match.
CB Éder Militão
Real Madrid have a shortage, of sorts, at centre-back, and it will be the Brazilian who will have to start as a right central defender. Asencio can play there, too, but I am expecting Alonso to roll out his gala XI in his first Champions League match with Real Madrid, and so, Militão will beb crucial.
CB Dean Huijsen
The easiest pick of the bunch. The team's new quarterback. The player who may not play on the weekend may as well start mid-week.
Real Madrid will likely appeal the decision, but regardless, Huijsen should be on the pitch for a big game like this. His importance in this team cannot be ignored.
LB Álvaro Carreras
The new signing has impressed Alonso a lot from the first minute. He has become a mainstay at left-back, and honestly, it feels like such a huge upgrade.
It has not been talked about enough just how well Carreras has got along with his team in just a few weeks, and if this is the base, I am excited for the ceiling. Expect him to start.
DM Aurélien Tchouaméni
Not only is Tchouaméni one of the most fundamental players in Alonso’s system, there aren’t that many options available for the coach to choose from.
He has been playing his best football in 2025, and because of that, starting him is a non-negotiable. Tchouaméni is probably the best in his position, and he needs to start every game.
CM Fede Valverde
Having not started against Real Sociedad due to a lack of rest, as explained by him after the match, it was clear that Fede will take the captain’s armband against Marseille.
That presence in midfield was sorely lacking against La Real on the weekend, his place will be retained once again.
CM Arda Güler
Güler has had a fine run of form in the last few weeks, and there is no point trying to break any momentum now.
He simply has to start every game, at least until Jude Bellingham is back from injury.
RW Franco Mastantuono
Mastantuono is still trying to find ways to settle at Real Madrid, but he has started most of the games since his arrival.
He did not play a single minute against Real Sociedad, presumably due to all the travel in the international break, but he will have his place in the starting XI again.
CF Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé has scored six goals in six games this season. He has also been Real Madrid’s best player. Let’s not act like this is up for discussion.
He starts once again.
LW Vinícius Júnior
Vinícius Jr is still trying to find his best form for Real Madrid, and he will once again try his best to get on the scoresheet and force himself onto the scene.
He needs to start as much as possible if he wants to be back at the level of his almost-Ballon d’Or season.