Despite the prospect of a Champions League night at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu against his former club Napoli on November 29, Carlo Ancelotti is set to opt for caution in his team selection.
Real Madrid's four wins from four have already secured their place in the Round of 16 for 2024 and the veteran Italian is without a host of injured stars for the visit the reigning Serie A champions.
With a busy run of La Liga games on their schedule before the end of 2023, Ancelotti will rest certain Madrid players in this game, to keep them fresh for league action in the weeks ahead.
Napoli still have work to do to seal their spot in the knockout stages and new boss Walter Mazzarri is boosted by some key returns from injury for the trip to Madrid.
The Sporting News takes a look at the team news and starting lineups for this Champions League contest.
MORE: Which teams have qualified for Champions League knockout stage 2023/24?
Real Madrid vs Napoli lineups
Ancelotti is missing the majority of his first choice starting XI through injury with Thibaut Courtois, Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler not expected to return until 2024.
It was thought that Napoli would enjoy the return of star striker Victor Osimhen from injury, but Walter Mazzarri is not yet ready to deploy the Nigeria international from the start. Instead, he can only make the bench as Giovanni Simeone continues in the central striker role.
Below are the starting lineups for both teams ahead of their Champions League match at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 29.
Real Madrid starting 11 vs Napoli
Real Madrid starting lineup (4-4-2 diamond): Lunin (GK) — Carvajal, Alaba, Rudiger, F. Mendy — Kroos — Ceballos, F. Valverde — Bellingham — Rodrygo, B. Diaz.
Real Madrid bench (10): F. Gonzalez (GK), Canizares (GK), Nacho, F. Garcia, L. Vazquez, M. Martin, Paz, T. Zidane, G. Garcia, Joselu.
- Injured: Courtois, Vinicius Jr, Militao, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Güler, Modric
- Suspended: None
Kepa Arrizabalaga was given the midweek match off as Andriy Lunin starts in goal. Jude Bellingham starts in midfield despite talk of finding him rest, while Luka Modric misses out with a hamstring issue. Brahim Diaz was reportedly ill in the buildup to the match, but he starts for just the second time this season.
Napoli starting 11 vs Real Madrid
Napoli starting lineup (4-3-3): Meret (GK) — Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Natan, Jesus — Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski — Politano, Simeone, Kvaratskhelia.
Napoli bench (10): Collini (GK), Contini (GK), Ostigard, Zanoli, Cajuste, Gaetano, Elmas, Zerbin, Raspadori, Osimhen.
- Injured: Rui, Lindstrøm.
- Suspended: None
Juan Jesus is chosen to cover for Mario Rui at left-back for Napoli over Mathias Olivera. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Mateo Politano flank the deputy striker on the wings.
Real Madrid vs Napoli live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Champions League match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | TUDN USA, Univision | Paramount+, ViX, Univision NOW |
| UK | TNT Sports 3 | discovery+ |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| India | — | Sony LIV, JioTV |
| New Zealand | — | beIN Sports Connect |
| Malaysia | beIN Sports 3 | beIN Sports Connect, sooka |
| Singapore | beIN Sports 3 | beIN Sports Connect, StarHub TV+ |
| Hong Kong | beIN Sports 3 | beIN Sports Connect |
USA: This game can be streamed through Paramount+. You can now get the rest of the Champions League group stage (plus three months Serie A, WSL and more) for just $5.97.
Canada: DAZN is the home of UEFA Champions League football in Canada.
UK: This match is available on TNT Sports 2 and via live stream through discovery+.
