Champions League 2025-2026: Kairat Almaty-Real Madrid, the likely lineups

Real Madrid pays a visit to Kairat Almaty on the second day of the Champions League single group stage. Kickoff at 6:45 p.m. at the”Almaty Ortalyk Stadion’. Blancos in the hunt for their second win in a row after their debut victory over Olympique Marseille’Olympique Marseille, while the Kazakhs will try to avoid another heavy knockout, after the one they cashed in on their debut with Sporting (1-4).

Urazbakhtin is banking on Satpaev in attack, with Mrynskiy, Jorginho, ahead of Monteiro, and Gromyko in support in the three-quarter. Midfield dike formed by Kasabulat and Arad, while the defense will be headed by the Martynovich-Sorokin pair.

Xabi Alonso has to deal with numerous absences in defense: Carvajal, Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Rudiger and Mendy. Valverde will be moved to the right flank, with Fran Garcia on the left and the Asencio-Alaba pair in the center. Camavinga and Dani Ceballos in midfield, while Mbappé is immovable in attack, with Rodrygo, Mastantuono and Brahim Diaz behind him.

Probable lineups

Kairat Almaty (4-2-3-1): Kalmurza; Tapalov, Martynovich, Sorokin, Mata; Kasabulat, Arad; Mrynskiy, Jorginho, Gromyko; Satpaev. All. Urazbakhtin

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Alaba, Fran García; Camavinga, Ceballos; Brahim Diaz, Mastantuono, Rodrygo; Mbappé. All. Xabi Alonso