Vinicius, Mastantuono start in a 4-3-3 – How Real Madrid can line up against Mallorca

Real Madrid are back at home this weekend as they take on RCD Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu later tonight on Matchday 3 of the 2025/26 La Liga.

Their previous game at the Bernabeu, the season opener against CA Osasuna, did not have the most convincing performance but Xabi Alonso & co. managed to eke out a narrow 1-0 win.

As such, the aim will be to put in a display that enthralls the packed audience at the stadium while securing their third victory of the new season.

Real Madrid go into the game tonight with no new injury concerns, while at the same time, Alonso has not welcomed any of the sidelined players back either – with Endrick, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, and Jude Bellingham still unavailable.

The manager was not afraid to make a few big changes for the last game against Real Oviedo and there are expected to be some alterations to the starting lineup again tonight.

Here’s how Real Madrid could line up against Jagoba Arrasate’s men tonight.

Defence

When it comes to the goalkeeping position, there is simply no looking past Thibaut Courtois, who has been simply exceptional for Real Madrid between the sticks.

Meanwhile, Alonso is unlikely to make any tweaks to the centre-back department either, with Eder Militao and summer signing Dean Huijsen settling in very well early in the season.

At left-back, another new arrival, Alvaro Carreras, has already shown enough to make the starting berth his own ahead of Fran Garcia.

The only question, thus, is at right-back. But, starting two games in a row after a lengthy absence due to an ACL injury might be risky for Dani Carvajal, especially with the veteran also set to be involved with Spain during the international break.

Another chance for Trent? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

As such, Trent Alexander-Arnold could start ahead of the Real Madrid captain tonight and hope to make a better impression than the one he made on his La Liga debut.

Midfield

The absences of Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga limit Xabi Alonso’s options in midfield, leaving little to no room for rotation at this point.

As such, Aurelien Tchouameni, who has become a key cog in the new manager’s tactical setup, will continue as the deepest of three midfielders against Mallorca.

Alongside him in the middle of the park will be Uruguayan international Federico Valverde and rising star Arda Guler, who is growing in stature as a midfielder with each passing game.

There may be minutes late in the game for Dani Ceballos, now that he is staying put, while David Alaba could be an alternative to Tchouameni in the No. 6 position in the latter stages.

Attack

After having made a big statement by dropping Vinicius Jr. for the last game, Xabi Alonso is expected to reinstate the Brazilian to the Real Madrid lineup following his inspired cameo at Oviedo.

Vinicius should replace his compatriot Rodrygo Goes on the left flank while Kylian Mbappe, who has started the new season brightly, should continue as the centre-forward.

On the right side of the attacking trident, new signing Franco Mastantuono did more than enough in the previous game to earn another start ahead of Brahim Diaz.