Mansion Sports – The 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League has officially kicked off, and one of the most anticipated fixtures of matchday one is set to take place. 

Real Madrid will host Olympique Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 21:00 local time. 

Ahead of this clash, Mansion Sports presents the predicted lineups for Real Madrid vs Marseille 2025.

Real Madrid’s Pursuit of a 16th Title

Real Madrid enter this season’s campaign with supreme confidence. Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Los Blancos aim to extend their remarkable legacy by securing a record 16th Champions League crown. 

Their track record against Marseille is overwhelmingly favorable, with four victories in four encounters, including the memorable triumph during the Cristiano Ronaldo era in the 2009/2010 season.

Madrid also come into this game with impressive momentum. Following a disappointing semifinal exit at the FIFA Club World Cup, they responded with a string of victories in La Liga. From Osasuna to Real Sociedad, every opponent has been overcome. 

Even when reduced to ten men against Sociedad, Madrid still managed to secure all three points.

The performances of Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler have been central to their success. This dynamic partnership has not only helped Madrid maintain a perfect start to their domestic campaign but also solidified their status as the only team yet to drop points in La Liga this season.

Marseille Facing a Stern Test at the Bernabéu

Marseille, meanwhile, arrive with determination to make history. The French club return to the Champions League after finishing as Ligue 1 runners-up last season. 

Roberto De Zerbi’s mission is ambitious: guiding Marseille to the knockout stage for the first time since the 2011/2012 campaign.

However, their journey has been far less consistent than Madrid’s. In domestic competition, Marseille have struggled with inconsistency, particularly in away fixtures. 

Nevertheless, their emphatic 4-0 victory over Lorient last weekend provided a timely boost. Mason Greenwood, Benjamin Pavard, Angel Gomes, and Nayef Aguerd all delivered outstanding performances, offering potential threats to Madrid’s defense.

History, however, stands firmly against them. French clubs have visited the Bernabéu 15 times without a single victory—recording four draws and eleven defeats. For De Zerbi, overturning that daunting record will be no easy task.

Predicted Lineups for Real Madrid vs Marseille 2025

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
• Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen, Juan Carreras
• Defensive Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni
• Attacking Midfielders: Claudio Echeverri Mastantuono, Arda Güler, Vinícius Júnior
• Forward: Kylian Mbappé
• Coach: Xabi Alonso

Olympique Marseille (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Gerónimo Rulli
• Defenders: Daniel Muñoz Murillo, Benjamin Pavard, Nayef Aguerd, Facundo Medina
• Defensive Midfielders: Angel Gomes, Geoffrey Kondogbia
• Attacking Midfielders: Mason Greenwood, Emran Soglo Nadir, Timothy Weah
• Forward: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
• Coach: Roberto De Zerbi

Conclusion

The predicted lineups for Real Madrid vs Marseille 2025 highlight a clash of two contrasting footballing philosophies: Real Madrid’s tradition of dominance powered by star-studded talent versus Marseille’s ambition to break free from the shadows of their unfavorable Champions League history.

Will Madrid once again assert their supremacy at the Bernabéu with a commanding victory, or will Marseille deliver a stunning upset? The answer will unfold once the final whistle blows in Madrid.