Ancelotti keeps Montilivi’s starting XI in mind, but Rodrygo is positioned ahead of Joselu.
Real Madrid travels to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium to face Napoli on the second matchday of the 2023/24 Champions League. This clash pits two Group C front-runners against each other and could shape the outlook for the region’s football landscape over the coming weeks.
Both teams began their continental campaigns with impressive results: Napoli edged Sporting Braga 2-1 at home, while Real Madrid earned a 1-0 victory over Union Berlin at the Santiago Bernabéu, a late winner by Jude Bellingham shaping a dramatic start to the group stage.
GOAL reflects on the likely lineups for the game scheduled for next Tuesday, October 3, at 9 p.m.
Montilivi’s XI, with Rodrygo for Joselu
As in the weekend trip to Girona, Carlo Ancelotti cannot rely on David Alaba, who remains unavailable following a right adductor issue suffered against Las Palmas last Wednesday. The Austrian’s absence prompts the inclusion of Álvaro Carrillo, a Castilla defender who already trained with the squad at Montilivi and was on the bench that day, into the squad list. The manager’s plans show a clear intent to preserve balance at centre back while keeping options open in midfield and attack.
Dani Carvajal remains with the group after easing out of a brief scare on Monday when he pulled up during training due to muscle discomfort. The issue did not worsen, and his availability will be a relief for Madrid’s flank stability. In midfield, attention turns to Eduardo Camavinga potentially reclaiming the left-back position if the tactical setup requires more width or a more defensive profile on that side. Rodrygo’s shift positions him higher up the pitch, taking Joselu’s role, and offering a more dynamic attack with his pace and willingness to cut in and find space inside the box.
On paper the plan emphasizes a fluid front line with Rodrygo exploiting the space near the left channel while Camavinga or other central defenders adjust to the evolving shape. Real Madrid’s approach will likely hinge on maintaining pressing intensity in the middle of the park and exploiting rapid transitions when Napoli’s compact defense opens up, especially after recovering from any high-press scenarios that may arise in the build-up play.
Napoli wants to forget the Osimhen controversy
Napoli enters the clash eager to stretch recent momentum. Two decisive wins, 4-1 against Udinese and 4-0 against Lecce, have helped restore calm after an unsettling episode surrounding Victor Osimhen. A series of social media posts that mocked the forward sparked a club-wide conversation, but Osimhen’s resilient response – including a personal message that Napoli is home – signaled a return to focus on the task ahead. His form remains a critical pillar as the team looks to challenge in Europe again this season.
Rudi García will count on his main scorer while dealing with a defensive setback. Two of Napoli’s central defenders, Amir Rrahmani and Juan Jesús, are sidelined by muscle injuries, forcing a reshuffle in the heart of the backline. The Italian coach will need to balance the attacking threat Osimhen provides with defensive solidity against Madrid’s sophisticated forward unit.
Both squads: selection calls and tactical outlooks
Real Madrid’s call-ups ahead of the Napoli match will emphasize squad depth and rotation without compromising quality. The decision to experiment with a different left-back dynamic highlights the manager’s readiness to adjust to the opponents’ shape and the players’ condition. Napoli, meanwhile, faces a choice between maintaining the current defensive pairing or incorporating a slightly more aggressive approach to pressure Madrid’s central forwards, given the visitors’ penchant for quick ball circulation from midfield to attack.
The tactical emphasis for the game will likely center on how well Madrid can press Napoli in midfield and how effectively Napoli can dampen the pace of Madrid’s forward thrusts. Both teams will be wary of clever rotations that exploit space behind full-backs and in front of the central defense, a theme that could define the balance of play on Tuesday night.
The match promises to be a clash of chess moves between two elite coaches, each aiming to out-think the other while maintaining the discipline required to avoid costly mistakes in a high-stakes group stage setting. The outcome could have ripple effects on the group standings and set the tone for their campaigns in Europe this season.
Called up and XI of Real Madrid
Below is Carlo Ancelotti’s call-up for the match against Napoli:
The Italian coach confirmed the line-up:
Called up and XI of Napoli
Below is Rudi Garcia’s call for the match against Real Madrid:
The French coach has not yet confirmed the line-up.