Real Madrid‘s quest for UEFA Champions League glory continues Tuesday, with the Spanish giants taking on Kairat away from home. Jude Bellingham, this time, is starting the game on the bench.
The reason behind the Englishman’s absence from the starting eleven appears to be a tactical decision by manager Xabi Alonso, since the Spaniard had included Bellingham in the lineup when Real Madrid lost to Atletico Madrid in the derby on Saturday.
The former Borussia Dortmund star was subbed off for Rodrygo 70 minutes into the match, which represented his first start since undergoing shoulder surgery in July. Even though he’s still rediscovering his best form, Bellingham’s presence on the bench in today’s Champions League clash has more to do with a tactical choice rather than fitness issues.
Real Madrid’s lineup vs Kairat today
Bellingham isn’t the only notable absentee in Real Madrid’s lineup though. Joining him on the bench is Federico Valverde, with Alonso opting to start Raul Asencio in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal’s absence against Kairat today.
Real Madrid’s lineup vs Kairat: Thibaut Courtois; Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, David Alaba, Fran Garcia; Dani Ceballos, Aurelien Tchouameni; Franco Mastantuono, Arda Guler, Vinicius Junior; Kylian Mbappe.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
