Article by Adrian Duţă – published on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 21:06 / Updated Tuesday, September 16, 2025 21:06
Real Madrid and Marseille will face today, from 22:00, on Santiago Bernabeu, in the first round of the Champions League, season 2025/2026.
The full program of stage #1 of the Champions League
The match will be arbitrated by Irfan Peljto and marks the beginning of a new European campaign for both bands. The champion of Spain receives the visit of the French team in a duel that promises the show.
Real Madrid – Marseille, live from 22:00
Start teams at Real Madrid – Marseille
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois – Trent, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras – Valverde, Tchoumeni – Massantuono, Guler, Rodrygo – Mbappe
reserves: Lunin, Fran, Carvajal, Alaba, Bellingham, Camavaga, Vinicius, Gonzalo, Asentio, Ceballos, F. Garcia, Brahim
Coach: Xabi Alonso
Marseille (4-4-2): Rulli – Medina, Pavard, Balers
Reserves: Van Neck, de Lange, Bakola, Riley, Gomes, Gauiri, Murillo, Nadir, Paixao, Vaz, Vermeeren
Coach: Roberto de Zerbi
Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid)
Referee: Irfan Peljto // Assistants: Senad Ibrisimbagovic, Davor Beljo
Var Referee: Dennis Higler // Avar Referee: Christian Dingert
Real Madrid – Marseille, in the first stage of the Champions League
The two teams last met in the Champions League in the 2009/2010 season, when Real Madrid dominated both confrontations. In the match on Stade Velodrome on December 8, 2009, the Madrid won 3-1, and in the match on Santiago Bernabeu on September 30, 2009, the hosts won 3-0.
Real Madrid – Marseille last met in the Champions League in 2009. PHOTO: IMAGO
Real Madrid thus has a clear advantage in direct meetings, with two wins from two matches played in European competitions.
Real Madrid is going through an excellent period, with five consecutive victories in all competitions. In La Liga, Xabi Alonso's team started the season perfectly, defeating Real Sociedad (2-1 on September 13), Mallorca (2-1 on August 30), Real Oviedo (3-0 on August 24) and Osasuna (1-0 on August 19).
Marseille has an oscillating form, with three victories and two defeats in the last five parties. The French come after a categorical victory in Ligue 1 against Lorient (4-0 on September 12), but they lost with Lyon (0-1 on August 31). Before that, they defeated FC Paris (5-2 on August 23), they were defeated by Rennes (0-1 on August 15).
