Valverde at right-back as Vinicius returns for Real Madrid’s Leipzig clash

Jose Mourinho has named Fede Valverde at right-back for Real Madrid’s Champions League meeting with RB Leipzig on Wednesday, while Vinicius Junior returns to the starting XI.

The match at the Santiago Bernabeu is Real Madrid’s third fixture in the league phase of the Champions League. Mourinho has made five changes from the side that started against Sevilla in their previous match.

Valverde will again operate in defence, despite having previously said he did not want to play at right-back and would prefer to remain in midfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries have once again not been selected by the Portuguese manager.

Bernardo Silva has been restored to the starting line-up after previously falling out of Mourinho’s plans. Vinicius also comes back to lead the attack after missing the La Liga match against Sevilla through suspension. His ban, however, also extends to Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona.

Mourinho has chosen to rest Marc Cucurella ahead of the meeting with Barcelona, with Alvaro Carreras starting at left-back instead.

Real Madrid are aiming to make it three wins from three in the league phase after beating Roma and Inter Milan in their opening two matches. The game against RB Leipzig is also the team’s final test before Sunday’s El Clasico.

Real Madrid’s starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Defenders: Fede Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham

Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe