Real Madrid have a huge test ahead of them against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, and a loss at home to start things off at the Santiago Bernabeu would be devastating for a team that often relies on magical second leg comebacks at home to withstand these massive European nights - and every Madridista knows there has been nothing bigger than the European Clasico over the last 15 years.
Alvaro Arbeloa has some big decisions to make with his starting lineup as the likes of Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao vie for starts after returns from injury, but it looks like one bold call that will for sure happen will be in a different position on his back line than center back.
According to a report from Diario AS, via the Madrid Zone, Fran Garcia is expected to start at the left back position above Alvaro Carreras. This comes after swirls of rumors that Real Madrid have created an open competition at the left back position, with Fran, Carreras, and Ferland Mendy all competing to be the main starter for the rest of the season.
Fran Garcia's stock is up
Real Madrid may rotate heavily pending on matchup. Mendy has a history of coming up massive in Champions League knockout ties, and Bayern Munich have the second best right winger in the world (behind only the alien Lamine Yamal) in Frenchman Michael Olise. But his compatriot will almost certainly not be recovered from his latest injury.
Alvaro Carreras has been the main starter for Real Madrid this season, and he was signed from Benfica for a reason in the summer after a big breakout 2024/25 campaign with Benfica. The Spanish international is a more well rounded left back and a superior attacking option, but maybe his poor intensity on defense, including a mistake against Vedat Muriqi to cost the game vs. Mallorca this weekend in La Liga, has led Alvaro Arbeloa to push for more competition.
Fran Garcia starting is a bold call, but he is a great athlete and works hard. He also stepped up huge against Manchester City and in the La Liga fixtures around it when both Alvaro and Ferland Mendy went down with injuries, reviving his status in the eyes of Arbeloa, who may have a soft spot for a scrappy fullback after being that kind of guy at right back for years for the Merengues in the 2010s.