Real Madrid travel to Athens with a clear objective: secure a victory that effectively locks in their place in the Champions League Top 8. While Los Blancos have dominated the group stage thus far, the stakes remain high as they aim to finalize their qualification for the knockout rounds. Despite the comfortable position, the squad will treat this fixture with the seriousness required to maintain their European dominance, ensuring no complacency creeps into the squad’s performance.
Mourinho rotates, but Madrid must secure Top 8 spot in Athens
Jose Mourinho is expected to implement strategic rotations to manage player workload ahead of upcoming domestic fixtures, yet the starting XI remains formidable. The predicted lineup features Thibaut Courtois in goal, supported by a defensive line of Dumfries, Huijsen, Rüdiger, and Carreras. In midfield, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will shield the backline, feeding through to a potent attacking trio of Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior, all supporting Kylian Mbappé up top.
On the other side, AEK Athens will look to exploit any gaps in Madrid’s rotated defense. Their predicted XI relies on a solid backline of Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, and Pilios, with Vitales, Marin, Majer, and Koita providing midfield stability. Up front, Adem Jovic and Varga will be tasked with creating chances against a world-class defense. Fans in the US can follow the action live via Paramount+, DAZN, or Amazon Prime Video, as both teams battle for crucial points in the 2026 Champions League campaign.
Source: Yahoo Sports
