After a setback in the Club World Cup semi-finals, Xabi Alonso’s side have responded superbly, making a perfect start to their La Liga campaign. Wins over Osasuna, Real Oviedo and Mallorca carried them into the international break in high spirits, and they picked up right where they left off with a 2-1 victory at Real Sociedad on Saturday.
That result was earned the hard way, as Dean Huijsen was controversially sent off just before half time for a last-man foul on Mikel Oyarzabal, who converted the resulting penalty. Before and after the dismissal, though, Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler struck to secure Madrid’s fourth straight win, leaving them as La Liga’s only team with a 100 percent record.
Los Blancos now turn their attention to Europe. Last season’s group campaign was disappointing, with three defeats leaving them in 11th place overall, and they will be eager to show more authority this time around. History is on their side: Madrid have won all four previous meetings with Marseille, scoring at least three goals in three of them.
For Marseille, this is a return to the main draw after finishing second in Ligue 1 last season. Their ambition stretches beyond simply taking part, as they chase a first appearance in the knockout rounds since 2011-12.
Roberto De Zerbi’s team have had a mixed start domestically, winning both home matches but losing both away from home. A 1-0 defeat at Lyon before the break was quickly put behind them with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Lorient, where Mason Greenwood, Benjamin Pavard, Ángel Gomes and Nayef Aguerd all found the net.
Marseille’s current squad has the chance to make history by delivering the club’s first-ever victory against Real Madrid. However, the statistics are daunting. French sides have never beaten Madrid in Spain in 15 previous Champions League or European Cup attempts, with four draws and 11 defeats.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Real Madrid will be without Antonio Rüdiger after the experienced defender picked up a muscle injury in training last week, joining Ferland Mendy and Endrick on the sidelines.There is some good news for Xabi Alonso, as Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga are both included in the squad, though neither is expected to be fit enough to start. Alonso has already shown a willingness to rotate in the early weeks of the season, so further changes would not come as a surprise, with Federico Valverde and Franco Mastantuono both in contention to return. Trent Alexander-Arnold could also feature at right-back as he continues to alternate with Dani Carvajal.
For Marseille, Ruben Blanco and Pol Lirola are unavailable after being left out of Roberto De Zerbi’s Champions League squad. Amine Gouiri is a major doubt following the head injury that forced him off during the win over Lorient on Friday.
CJ Egan-Riley is back from suspension, but with Benjamin Pavard and Nayef Aguerd impressing at the weekend, his route back into the XI may be blocked. Gerónimo Rulli and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, both benched against Lorient, are pushing for recalls.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni; Mastantuono, Guler, Vinicius; Mbappe
Marseille possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Murillo, Pavard, Aguerd, Medina; Gomes, Kondogbia; Greenwood, Nadir, Weah; Aubameyang
EXPERT PREDICTION
Real Madrid 3-1 Marseille
Marseille may have brushed aside Lorient with ease on Friday, but narrow defeats in both of their away matches this season do little to boost confidence before such a difficult trip to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, have started the campaign in strong form, and they should have enough quality to extend their perfect run with a hard-fought home victory on Tuesday night.
