Real Madrid v RB Leipzig: Yan Diomande tipped to start against former club

Real Madrid could hand Yan Diomande a starting role against his former club RB Leipzig when the sides meet in the Champions League at Santiago-Bernabeu on Wednesday, 21 October.

The Ivorian winger has been included in Real Madrid’s squad for the third matchday fixture and is among the players expected to feature in the latest team selections published by the sports media.

Jose Mourinho is projected to set Real Madrid up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Thibaut Courtois is expected to start in goal, with Federico Valverde, Ibrahima Konate, Antonio Rudiger and Marc Cucurella forming the suggested back four in projections from several outlets.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Arda Guler are tipped to operate in midfield, while Jude Bellingham could play behind the main striker. Diomande is expected to occupy an attacking position alongside Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.

Those selections remain subject to the tactical approach Mourinho ultimately adopts. A separate projected XI lists Real Madrid with Courtois behind a defence of Valverde, Huijsen and Carreras, while Guler, Tchouameni, Diomande and Bellingham are included in midfield and attack with Vinicius Junior and Mbappe.

RB Leipzig are also expected to use a 4-2-3-1 system for the match in Madrid. Maarten Vandevoordt is projected to start in goal, with Ridle Baku, Willi Orban, Castello Lukeba and David Raum positioned in front of him.

Ezechiel Banzuzi and Neil El Aynaoui could form Leipzig’s midfield pairing. Brajan Gruda, Christopher Nkunku and Antonio Nusa are expected to support Romulo, who is tipped to lead the attack.

Both teams will be missing several players. Real Madrid are expected to be without Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy and Raul Asencio, all of whom have been announced as unavailable. Leipzig will not have Christoph Baumgartner or Assan Ouedraogo.

The absences may influence the final decisions made by both managers before kick-off.

Probable line-ups

Real Madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Konate, Huijsen, Carreras, Guler, Tchouameni, Yan Diomande, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Mbappe.

RB Leipzig: Vandevoordt, Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum, Banzuzi, El Aynaoui, Gruda, Nkunku, Nusa, Romulo.