Álvaro Arbeloa is reportedly set to start Fran García at left-back over Álvaro Carreras for tonight’s Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich following a defensive lapse in the weekend’s La Liga defeat.
Álvaro Arbeloa is expected to make a bold defensive change for tonight’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich.
Reports from Diario AS suggest Fran García will start at left-back, replacing Álvaro Carreras. The decision follows Carreras’s costly “poor intensity on defense” during Saturday’s defeat to Mallorca.
With Ferland Mendy sidelined by injury, García’s recent performances against Manchester City have revitalized his standing.
The selection highlights an “open competition” at left-back as Madrid prepares to face Michael Olise.
Arbeloa, known for valuing “scrappy” fullbacks, appears to favor García’s work rate for this elite European test.
Meanwhile, the squad receives a boost with Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao vying for starts. Every Madridista understands the stakes, as a home loss at the Bernabéu would be “devastating” before the return leg.