Overview
- Kylian Mbappé trained with the group on Friday, made the match squad, and was named in Saturday’s starting lineup alongside Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García.
- Reports had indicated he would be rested because of lingering knee pain, but Arbeloa said "he’s better and will be called up" and the official list confirmed his inclusion.
- Real Madrid remain short in defense, with Antonio Rüdiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy unavailable, and Rodrygo also ruled out.
- Thibaut Courtois returns to start in goal as Andriy Lunin misses out with calf discomfort, with academy goalkeepers Fran González and Sergio Mestre in support.
- The league match comes after a Supercopa final loss to Barcelona and a Copa del Rey upset by Albacete that has left Arbeloa under pressure, with AS Monaco visiting next week in the Champions League.