Real Madrid vs Union Berlin - Champions League: TV channel, team news, lineups & prediction
- Real Madrid begin quest to reclaim Champions League crown
- Union Berlin making debut in the competition
- Los Blancos have made excellent start to 2023/24 season
Real Madrid kickstart their 2023/24 UEFA Champions League campaign on Wednesday when they go up against Union Berlin at the newly-refurbished Santiago Bernabeu.
Success in Europe has perpetually followed Los Blancos, who embarked on a miraculous run to glory in 2021/22, but they were cast aside by eventual treble-winners Manchester City last season.
The departure of Karim Benzema and arrival of Jude Bellingham has ushered Madrid into a new dawn, and their relationship with this competition automatically renders them a favourite. Their group stage campaign gets underway on home soil against a Union Berlin outfit making their Champions League bow.
It's a massive occasion for the German club, who'll be looking to cause a major upset on debut.
Here's 90min's preview of Real Madrid's Champions League group game against Union Berlin.
What time does Real Madrid vs Union Berlin kick-off?
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
- Date: Wednesday 20 September
- Kick-off Time: 17:45 BST / 12:45 ET / 09:45 PT
- Referee: Espen Eskås (NOR)
- VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
Real Madrid vs Union Berlin H2H Record (Last Five Games)
- Real Madrid: N/A
- Union Berlin: N/A
- Draws: N/A
- Last meeting: N/A
Current form (all competitions)
- Real Madrid: WWWWW
- Union Berlin: LLWWW
How to watch Real Madrid vs Union Berlin on TV and live stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 1, discovery+, discovery+ App |
United States | Paramount+, TUDN USA, UniMás, ViX |
Canada | DAZN |
Real Madrid team news
Ferland Mendy is edging closer to a return and he could make Ancelotti's matchday squad on Wednesday, but he surely won't make the Italian's XI after Fran Garcia notched two assists in the win over Real Sociedad.
The hosts have so far coped well with their notable absentees and they'll once again be without Vinicius Junior, Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao.
Young Arda Guler is not yet ready to make his return, although Jude Bellingham is raring to make his first Champions League start for the club.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Union Berlin
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-1-2): Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Camavinga, Valverde, Modric; Bellingham; Joselu, Rodrygo.
Union Berlin team news
Union's squad is deep and Urs Fischer did shuffle his pack somewhat for Saturday's trip to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
Kevin Volland is available for selection despite his Bundesliga suspension, while Sheraldo Becker could return to the starting XI after returning from a spell on the sidelines at the weekend.
Josip Juranovic is a sure bet to start down the right flank, and Fischer will undoubtedly be tempted by the prospect of starting his vastly experienced new arrival, Leonardo Bonucci, in the Spanish capital.
Union Berlin predicted lineup vs Real Madrid
Union Berlin predicted lineup (3-5-2): Ronnow; Knoche, Bonucci, Diogo Leite; Juranovic, Kral, Laidouni, Aaronson, Gosens; Becker, Behrens
Real Madrid vs Union Berlin score prediction
After a positive start to the season, Union have just lost their way a touch in the build-up to Wednesday's game. This is a monumental occasion for Fischer's men and they've got the capacity to hurt the hosts.
The visitors will aim to contain Madrid and operate efficiently on the counter. That's their bread and butter. There's an unknown quantity factor at play here which could surprise the hosts but Madrid's pedigree in the tournament should get them over the line in a competitive affiar.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Union Berlin
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