Real Madrid vs Marseille Preview: Prediction, Team News and Where to Watch the Match LIVE

Real Madrid begin their quest for a 16th Champions League title when they host Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday. Los Blancos, perfect in La Liga under Xabi Alonso, face the French side for the first time in 15 years.

Real Madrid vs Marseille: Preview

The UEFA Champions League season opener between Real Madrid and Marseille brings together European royalty and ambitious challengers at the legendary Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Madrid, seeking their 16th Champions League trophy, have made a perfect start to their first La Liga campaign under new manager Xabi Alonso, winning all four opening matches. The 15-time European champions are positioned as one of the tournament favorites alongside Liverpool and Arsenal in early predictions.

Los Blancos possess an imposing record at home in Europe’s premier competition, remaining unbeaten in 15 consecutive Champions League matches at the Bernabéu (12 wins, 3 draws). However, their previous European campaign ended in disappointment, falling at the quarter-final stage to Arsenal.

Kylian Mbappé has hit the ground running in his debut season at the Bernabéu. The French superstar leads with six goals and three assists in all competitions, establishing himself as the focal point of Alonso’s attacking setup. Mbappé has notably sent a message to his former Ligue 1 rivals, stating “I score a lot of goals against Marseille” ahead of this encounter.

The addition of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool has strengthened Real Madrid’s options at right-back, while young talents like Arda Güler continue to impress when called upon. Madrid remain the only team with a 100% record after four La Liga matches, sitting atop the table with a +9 goal difference and just two goals conceded.

Marseille return to the Champions League main draw for the first time since 2022-23 after finishing runners-up in Ligue 1 last season under Roberto De Zerbi’s guidance. The Italian coach, known for his attractive possession-based football, has brought a new tactical dimension to Les Phocéens.

Marseille will not be content with merely participating in the league phase, as they look to reach the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time since reaching the quarter-final stage in 2011-12. Their domestic form has been mixed, securing victories over Paris FC and Lorient while suffering defeats to Rennes and Lyon.

Mason Greenwood has emerged as Marseille’s key attacking threat following his move from Manchester United. The English forward finished as Ligue 1’s joint-top goalscorer last season alongside Ousmane Dembélé with 21 goals, and has already registered two goals and three assists in four league matches this campaign.

However, Marseille face a daunting challenge at the Bernabéu. Their away form in Europe has historically been problematic, and they come up against a Madrid side hungry to reassert their European dominance following last season’s early exit.

Real Madrid vs Marseille: Head-to-Head

Real Madrid hold a perfect record against Marseille, having won all four previous encounters between the clubs, scoring 12 goals while conceding just four. The Spanish giants have never drawn or lost to the French side in their brief but one-sided rivalry.

The teams first met in September 2003 when Real Madrid welcomed Marseille to the Santiago Bernabéu. Roberto Carlos cancelled out a Didier Drogba opener, before Ronaldo Nazário netted a brace alongside a Luis Figo effort in a 4-2 victory during the 2003-04 group stage.

After clinching a narrow 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture, Los Blancos had to wait six years for their next meeting with Marseille in the 2009-10 group stage. Cristiano Ronaldo netted braces in both matches to fire his side to a 3-0 home victory and a 3-1 win at the Stade Vélodrome.

One statistic guaranteed to change on Tuesday is that a Ronaldo has scored in every meeting between these two sides. Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading scorer in this fixture with four goals, while Ronaldo Nazário netted three times in his two appearances.

The last encounter came during the 2009-10 campaign, meaning this represents the first meeting between the clubs for 15 years. Both sides have undergone significant transformations since their previous clash, with entirely different squads and tactical approaches.

Real Madrid vs Marseille: Team News and Predicted Lineup

Real Madrid – Team News

Xabi Alonso faces a significant injury crisis ahead of Tuesday’s crucial encounter. Central defender Antonio Rüdiger has been diagnosed with an injury to the rectus femoris muscle in his left leg and is expected to be sidelined until mid-December, potentially missing the first six Champions League league phase matches.

Jude Bellingham continues his recovery after undergoing shoulder surgery following the Club World Cup. While the initial expectation was an October return, Alonso remains “optimistic” about an earlier comeback. The English midfielder’s creativity and goal threat from midfield will be sorely missed.

Ferland Mendy remains unavailable after suffering a rupture in his right thigh, while Eduardo Camavinga is a doubt and Endrick will also miss out due to injury. The Brazilian teenager’s absence limits Alonso’s forward options from the bench.

Despite the injury concerns, Real Madrid possess considerable depth. Federico Valverde and Franco Mastantuono are pushing for starts, while Trent Alexander-Arnold could return at right-back alongside Dani Carvajal. Dean Huijsen and Éder Militão are expected to form the central defensive partnership in Rüdiger’s absence.

Real Madrid – Predicted XI (4-3-3):

• Goalkeeper: Courtois
• Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Militão, Huijsen, Carreras
• Midfielders: Ceballos, Tchouaméni, Güler
• Forwards: Mastantuono, Mbappé, Vinícius Jr.

Marseille – Team News

Roberto De Zerbi faces uncertainty over his attacking options ahead of the Bernabéu clash. Striker Amine Gouiri will travel with the squad despite suffering a head injury during Friday’s 4-0 victory over Lorient, but his participation remains doubtful.

According to medical reports, Gouiri’s jaw was not affected and he is only experiencing mild pain in his shoulder, which is being closely monitored by the medical staff. Should he be unavailable, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to lead the Marseille attack, having started the last game on the bench.

Marseille will definitely be without goalkeeper Rubén Blanco and defender Pol Lirola, who were not registered as part of the club’s Champions League squad. Defender CJ Egan-Riley returns from suspension but may find it difficult to reclaim a starting spot from Benjamin Pavard and Nayef Aguerd.

Captain Leonardo Balerdi will be managed carefully due to foot discomfort following international duty, but the centre-back is expected to start. Mason Greenwood remains fit and will spearhead Marseille’s attacking threat from the right wing.

Marseille – Predicted XI (4-3-3)

• Goalkeeper: Rulli
• Defenders: Murillo, Pavard, Aguerd, Medina
• Midfielders: Gomes, Kondogbia, Nadir
• Forwards: Greenwood, Aubameyang, Weah

Real Madrid vs Marseille: Prediction

Real Madrid’s perfect domestic start under Xabi Alonso demonstrates the Spanish tactician’s immediate impact on the squad. Despite missing several key players through injury, the depth of quality at the Bernabéu provides sufficient cover to maintain their high standards.

Alonso stressed the need for balance between individual brilliance and teamwork, explaining: “It’s not just Kylian, Viní or Rodrygo. We need collective quality for them to do those different things”. This approach has already yielded impressive results in La Liga.

Marseille’s return to Europe’s elite competition represents a significant achievement, but the scale of the challenge facing them at the Bernabéu cannot be understated. De Zerbi’s tactical acumen and the individual quality of players like Greenwood give them hope of causing an upset.

However, Real Madrid’s historical dominance in this fixture, combined with their home advantage and superior squad depth, makes them overwhelming favorites. Mbappé’s motivation to impress against his former domestic rivals adds another compelling subplot to this encounter.

The absence of Rüdiger could provide Marseille with opportunities to exploit Madrid’s makeshift defense, but the creative burden falls heavily on Greenwood and potentially Aubameyang to deliver the clinical finishing required at this level.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3–1 Marseille

When and Where to Watch Real Madrid vs Marseille in India? Broadcast and Streaming Details

Indian football fans can catch the Real Madrid vs Marseille Champions League clash live on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 AM IST (Wednesday) at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. The match will be telecast on multiple Sony Sports channels including Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 1 HD, Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 2 HD, Sony Ten 3, Sony Ten 3 HD, Sony Ten 5, and Sony Ten 5 HD.

For digital streaming, Sony LIV will provide live coverage of the fixture, though viewers will need a premium subscription to access the content. Additionally, JioTV users can stream the match through their platform, as they hold non-exclusive streaming rights for UEFA Champions League matches in India from 2024-25 to 2026-27, serving as a premium content partner of Sony Sports Network.

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