On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in France will host an exciting UEFA Champions League match between LOSC Lille and Real Madrid. This encounter marks the second match of the 2024-25 Champions League season for both teams.
Team News and Injuries
Real Madrid is dealing with several key injuries ahead of the match. Thibaut Courtois is out due to a hip injury and will be replaced by Andriy Lunin in goal. Kylian Mbapp, who recently recovered from a muscle injury, is part of the travelling squad but may not start to avoid any risks. Manager Carlo Ancelotti stated, 'Hes recovered well, very quickly. He only trained individually yesterday, but he didnt spend a lot of time out, so he hasnt lost his shape. Today, hell do all the training with the group and then well make the best decision together with him, considering that the last thing we want to do is to take any risks'.
Other notable absences for Real Madrid include David Alaba (knee), Dani Ceballos (ankle), and Brahim Diaz (leg). Fran Garcia, who was nursing a knock, is back in the squad. Eduardo Camavinga has also returned after a month on the sidelines, providing a boost to the team's midfield.
Predicted Lineups
For Real Madrid, the predicted lineup includes Andriy Lunin in goal, with a defensive quartet of Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, and Ferland Mendy. The midfield is expected to feature Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Jude Bellingham. In the attack, Arda Guler could return to the starting lineup alongside Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior.
Lille, on the other hand, will be without midfielder Hakon Arnar Haraldsson due to a foot injury. Despite this, they have been relying on the goal-scoring form of Edon Zhegrova and Jonathan David, who have combined for Lille's last eight goals.
Match Preview
Real Madrid is looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in their last La Liga match. Lille, however, has had a rough start, losing 2-0 to Sporting Lisbon on matchday one and drawing 3-3 with Strasbourg after blowing a 2-0 lead.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 p.m. local time, which translates to 3:00 p.m. ET, 2:00 p.m. CT, 1:00 p.m. MT, and 12:00 p.m. PT in the United States. Fans can catch the game through various broadcast channels, including TUDN, and streaming services like fuboTV.
Historically, matches between Spanish and French clubs have been intense and memorable. For instance, UEFA Champions League finals have often featured dramatic encounters between teams from these countries, highlighting the competitive spirit and skill on display.
Given Real Madrid's attacking prowess and Lille's recent form, the match promises to be an exciting clash. Despite the injuries, Real Madrid's depth and talent are likely to give them an edge, but Lille's home record in European competitions could make this a closely contested match.
