Real Madrid Vs Elche: Arbeloa Makes Changes As Injuries Leave Squad Depleted
Real Madrid Vs Elche kicks off with fresh team news as Real Madrid interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa makes three changes to the side that beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Champions League earlier in the week, while Elche head coach Eder Sarabia has named four alterations for the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Team News: Real Madrid Vs Elche
Arbeloa has rotated his XI, bringing Dani Carvajal in at right back in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran Garcia in at left back for Ferland Mendy. Eduardo Camavinga replaces Arda Guler in midfield. The confirmed starting lineup lists Courtois in goal; Carvajal, Rudiger, Huijsen and Fran Garcia across the back; Valverde, Thiago, Tchouameni and Camavinga in midfield; with Brahim and Vinicius Jr leading the attack.
Elche coach Eder Sarabia has made four changes to his selection, introducing defensive midfielder Federico Redondo, winger Lucas Cepeda, midfielder Martim Neto and striker Andre Silva. Dropped from the matchday group are forwards Alvaro Rodriguez and Rafa Mir, winger Grady Diangana and midfielder Marc Aguado.
Injury Crisis Forces Madrid Into Youth Call-Ups And Rotation
Real Madrid continue to wrestle with a stretched squad. The club’s official squad list for the visit of Elche confirms that Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham remain unavailable. Rodrygo and Eder Militao are also listed as unavailable, compounding defensive and attacking absences.
Long-term absences include David Alaba and Ferland Mendy, while other senior players are missing as well: Alvaro Carreras and Dani Ceballos are absent and Raul Asencio has been withdrawn after reporting muscle discomfort. With senior options limited, Arbeloa has called up a number of academy prospects to fill the matchday roster: Daniel Yanez, Diego Aguado, Thiago Pitarch, Cesar Palacios, Manuel Angel and Sergio Mestre have been added to the squad. A separate report suggested Angel could be given a chance to start.
The timing of the rotation is notable: Real Madrid head into this La Liga fixture having secured a strong first-leg Champions League result against Manchester City and now face a second-leg tie on Tuesday that will shape their European campaign. That schedule is a clear factor in the selection choices and workload management for the remainder of the squad.
Match Context And What To Watch
The live build-up to the match included regular team news updates and commentary as the two sides prepare to meet at the Santiago Bernabeu. For Real Madrid, the priorities are immediate domestic points and managing player fitness ahead of the upcoming continental fixture. For Elche, the four changes made by Eder Sarabia signal an attempt to unsettle a rotated home side.
With several senior players sidelined and multiple youth call-ups on the bench, attention will fall on how the makeshift Madrid lineup performs and whether rotation can deliver a result without risking further injuries ahead of the Champions League second leg.
Kickoff and live coverage details are part of the ongoing build-up; lineups have been confirmed and the match is now underway with the reshuffled squads named.
