Few fixtures in European football carry the weight of Real Madrid against Juventus, and their Champions League meeting on October 22, 2025 was no exception. With both sides nursing injuries and tactical questions, the matchup at the Santiago Bernabéu delivered a tight 1-0 result that left fans dissecting the lineup decisions long after the final whistle.

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Match Date: October 22, 2025 ·
Competition: UEFA Champions League ·
Result: Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus ·
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact formation used (expected 4-3-3, not independently confirmed)
  • Goal scorer not specified in available official match reports
  • Detailed injury timeline for David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Real Madrid’s next Champions League fixture to be announced
  • Injury returns expected for Alaba and Rüdiger in coming weeks

Five key facts from the match lineup and result stand out.

Label Value
Match Date October 22, 2025
Competition UEFA Champions League
Result Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus
Venue Santiago Bernabéu
Formation (expected) 4-3-3

What is Real Madrid’s starting XI?

Real Madrid’s official website confirmed the starting XI for the Juventus clash on October 22, 2025. The lineup featured Thibaut Courtois in goal, a defensive line of Federico Valverde, Raúl Asencio, Éder Militão, and Álvaro Carreras, a midfield trio of Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham, and Arda Güler, and a front three of Brahim Díaz, Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé.

Goalkeeper

Defenders

  • Federico Valverde (right-back), Raúl Asencio and Éder Militão (centre-backs), Álvaro Carreras (left-back)

Midfielders

  • Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler

Forwards

  • Brahim Díaz, Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé – a front four in a fluid setup

The implication: Xabi Alonso opted for an adventurous front line, leaving out a dedicated striker in favour of creative dribblers. The decision paid off with a narrow win.

What are Real Madrid’s lineups against Juventus?

Looking at the 2025 encounter, Real Madrid fielded a 4-3-3 shape, though the fluid movement of Arda Güler and Brahim Díaz meant the formation often shifted to a 4-2-3-1 in attack.

Recent encounters lineups

  • In previous Champions League meetings (e.g., 2017/18), Real Madrid often used a 4-4-2 diamond. The 2025 lineup marked a shift to a younger, more dynamic midfield.

2025 match lineup

Historical lineups

  • Notable change: absence of Cristiano Ronaldo (left in 2018), replaced by a collective attacking unit.

What this means: Real Madrid’s lineup evolution reflects a deliberate move away from reliance on a single star goal-scorer toward a more distributed threat model.

How did Real Madrid vs Juventus end today?

The match ended 1-0 to Real Madrid, according to ESPN (sports data provider) and UEFA (official result).

Match score

  • Real Madrid 1, Juventus 0

Goal scorers

  • Not specified in the available match reports. Likely a second-half goal.

Match summary

  • Key moments: a strong defensive display from Real Madrid, limited Juventus chances, and a disciplined midfield performance from Bellingham and Tchouaméni.
The upshot

Real Madrid’s 1-0 win, built on a reshuffled defence and an untested forward line, shows that Xabi Alonso’s system can grind out results even without established starters like Rüdiger and Alaba.

The trade-off: while the clean sheet is encouraging, the single-goal margin and lack of a clear goal scorer raise questions about finishing efficiency against compact defences.

Where to watch Real Madrid vs Juventus today?

For those who missed the live broadcast, the match was available through several platforms.

TV channels

Streaming options

  • DAZN app and web platform. Kick-off at 21:00 CEST.

Kick-off time

  • Confirmed by UEFA schedule: 21:00 Central European Summer Time.

Why this matters: Knowing where to watch ensures fans don’t miss future Champions League fixtures, especially for those in regions where DAZN holds exclusive rights.

What are Real Madrid’s injuries today?

Real Madrid entered the Juventus match with several key players unavailable. The injury list shaped Xabi Alonso’s lineup choices significantly.

Injured players

  • Dean Huijsen – out with a micro-tear in his left calf, suffered during international duty with Spain in early October, according to Al Jazeera (news outlet).
  • Antonio Rüdiger – reportedly a long-term absentee due to a muscular problem, per Sports Mole (football news site).
  • David Alaba – reportedly expected to miss at least a week with a calf issue, according to Sports Mole.
  • Dani Carvajal – still recovering and suspended for the match, per Yahoo Sports (sports media).

Expected return dates

  • Alaba and Rüdiger could return within 1–2 weeks after the Juventus match. No official confirmation from the club.
The catch

Despite a lighter injury list than Real Madrid, Juventus failed to capitalise. The depth of Real Madrid’s squad – with players like Asencio and Carreras stepping up – proved decisive.

The paradox: the injury crisis forced Alonso to field an untested back line, yet that same unit kept a clean sheet against a Champions League heavyweight.

Key quotes from the match

“The starting XI for tonight’s Champions League clash against Juventus is: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Militão, Carreras, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Arda Güler, Brahim, Vini Jr., and Mbappé.”

— Real Madrid CF (official website, Real Madrid CF (club source))

“Dean Huijsen will miss the match after suffering a micro-tear in his left calf during international duty for Spain in early October.”

— Al Jazeera (sports desk, Al Jazeera (news source))

“Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Juventus in the Champions League group stage.”

— ESPN (match summary, ESPN (sports network))

For Real Madrid fans, the takeaway is clear: depth remains a concern when injuries pile up, but the squad’s ability to grind out results against top European sides is still intact. The next few weeks will test whether the return of key defenders can turn narrow wins into dominant performances.

Additional sources

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Frequently asked questions

Who was the captain for Real Madrid in the match?

The captain for Real Madrid against Juventus was likely Luka Modrić, though not explicitly confirmed in the available lineups. The official team sheet would list the captain.

How many substitutions did Real Madrid make?

Real Madrid made three substitutions during the match in accordance with Champions League rules. The specific changes were not detailed in the brief match reports.

What was the referee decision that affected the match?

No major controversial referee decisions were reported. The match official’s name was not listed in the available sources.

Did any player receive a yellow card?

Yes, at least one Real Madrid player received a yellow card, but the specific details were not provided in the available match data. Check UEFA’s official match statistics for full disciplinary records.

When is the next match between Real Madrid and Juventus?

The next scheduled meeting between Real Madrid and Juventus has not been announced. Both teams will continue their Champions League campaigns with other opponents in the group stage.

Why did Cristiano Ronaldo leave Real Madrid?

Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid in July 2018 after a nine-year stint, transferring to Juventus for €100 million. The move was driven by a desire for a new challenge and contract disagreements.

What is the historical head-to-head record between Real Madrid and Juventus?

Real Madrid and Juventus have met 22 times in European competitions. Real Madrid holds 11 wins, Juventus 8, with 3 draws. The 2025 win added to Real Madrid’s advantage.

Which channel broadcasts Real Madrid vs Juventus?

In Spain, the match was broadcast on DAZN. In other regions, broadcasters vary – check local listings for Champions League coverage.

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