Madrid's Athens Challenge: Mbappé and Vinícius Carry the Load as Bellingham Starts on the Bench
26 November 2025
Match Preview and Lineups
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso named his starting lineup for the trip to Olympiakos in Athens on the fifth matchday of the Champions League group stage. Jude Bellingham was kept on the bench due to a hamstring issue, with Rodrygo Goes and Ibrahim Diaz among those stepping into supporting roles. In goal, Andriy Lunín starts as Thibaut Courtois misses out through injury.
Defensively, Ferland Mendy and Álvaro Caserres are listed, while Arda Güler and Vinícius Jr. are among the attacking options, with Kylian Mbappé leading the forward line in a potentially high‑scoring setup. Olympiakos line up with a spine that includes Tzoulakis, Ortega, Perola, Restos, Rodini, Mozakitís, Dani García, Bodínis, Chiquinho, Martins, and Ayoub El Kabi, aiming to test Madrid’s resolve in Greece.
Madrid enter the match after a mixed spell, having gone three games without a win following a 4‑0 Liga win over Valencia earlier in November, a defeat at Anfield to Liverpool, a goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano, and a 2‑2 draw with Elche after the international break.
Context, Form and Athens Hurdles
Madrid face a potentially dangerous fixture in Athens, a city where the team has historically struggled. The capital has not been kind to Los Blancos in several past visits, and the current run of results has raised questions about their domestic and European footing.
In the Champions League standings, Madrid sit ninth with nine points, while Olympiakos hover near the lower end of the group table with only a couple of points. In La Liga, Madrid remain atop the Spanish league with 32 points, just ahead of Barcelona, keeping their domestic title bid alive as they balance European challenges.
This fixture in Athens is more than a match of points; it’s a test of balance between attack and defense for Alonso, who will be watching how his players negotiate the tactical levers against a Greek side eager to exploit any misstep.
Key Quotes and Tactical Angles
Alonso has stressed the need for cohesion and momentum, emphasizing that the club demands victories even as the road remains long and winding. He praised the squad’s resilience and stressed that communication and togetherness must carry the team forward, especially in a tough European environment.
On selection intrigue, Alonso defended Fran García’s unusual left‑midfield role as a way to add width and flexibility, while acknowledging that opportunities to turn possession into decisive moments will define the outcome. He also noted Vinícius Junior’s continued importance to the team’s attacking plans, even if the winger starts on the bench on this occasion.
Regarding match dynamics, Alonso pointed to a need for higher intensity in the decisive moments after a 1-1 draw earlier, emphasizing that Madrid must convert pressure into sustained threat rather than episodic spells of danger. The planning for Athens centers on maintaining balance and exploiting any gaps the opponents may offer.
Punchlines for the finale
Punchline 1: If Alonso’s tactics were any sharper, they’d cut the net—and the suspense in Athens would finally drop the mic. Punchline 2: In Greece, even the scoreboard needs subtitles to keep up with Madrid’s tactical drama.
