The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 continues with another European classic as Real Madrid welcome Juventus to the Santiago Bernabéu for Matchday 3 of the league phase.
This fixture brings together two historic powerhouses of European football — Real Madrid, the kings of continental glory, and Juventus, the proud Italian giants desperate to rediscover their lost rhythm. While the Spanish champions aim to continue their perfect European start, the Bianconeri arrive in Madrid searching for their first win of the campaign — and some much-needed confidence.
Match Context: Two Giants, Two Very Different Paths
Few matches in world football carry the same historical weight as Real Madrid vs Juventus. These two clubs share 24 European Cups between them and have met in several iconic encounters over the decades.
Under Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid have made an electrifying start to their new European chapter. Los Blancos began their Champions League campaign with a 2–1 win over Marseille, followed by a ruthless 5–0 demolition of Kairat Almaty. They now sit among the few sides with a perfect record and will be eager to maintain their momentum in front of their home supporters at the Bernabéu.
On the other hand, Juventus have struggled to find form under manager Igor Tudor. After thrilling but frustrating draws against Borussia Dortmund (4–4) and Villarreal (2–2), the Old Lady are still searching for their first win in the league phase. Their six-match winless streak across all competitions (five draws, one defeat) paints a worrying picture of inconsistency and fading belief.
Recent Form and Momentum
| Team | Last 5 Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | W – L – W – W – W | 4 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 4 |
| Juventus | D – D – D – D – L | 0 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 10 |
Real Madrid have been dominant both domestically and in Europe, winning four of their last five matches across all competitions. They’ve scored 13 goals in that span while conceding only four.
Juventus, meanwhile, are on a worrying run — five games without victory, plagued by defensive lapses and lack of sharpness up front. Their inability to close games has become a defining issue this season.
Team News and Injury Updates
Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso will be pleased to have most of his key players fit and available. The Spanish champions enter this fixture with a healthy squad and no major absentees, though rotation is expected given their busy schedule.
Star forward Kylian Mbappé continues to lead the attack, having scored five goals in just two Champions League appearances this season. Behind him, the midfield trio of Bellingham, Valverde, and Camavinga gives Real Madrid dynamism and control, while Éder Militão and David Alaba anchor the defense.
Juventus
For Igor Tudor, the challenges are mounting. His team continues to battle inconsistency and low morale. Key defender Bremer is expected to start despite minor fatigue concerns, while Kenan Yildiz will be relied upon to provide attacking spark.
Veterans Rabiot, Chiesa, and Locatelli form the core of the midfield, but converting chances remains a glaring issue for the Italian side.
Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Courtois (GK); Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vinícius Jr.
Juventus (3-5-2)
Szczęsny (GK); Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Weah, Rabiot, Locatelli, Miretti, Kostić; Chiesa, Yildiz.
Tactical Analysis
Real Madrid’s Dominance
Under Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid have combined possession-based football with the ruthless directness that has long defined their European identity.
Expect Los Blancos to maintain a high defensive line, using Valverde’s energy and Bellingham’s late runs to overload Juventus in midfield. Mbappé’s freedom across the front line will be key — dragging defenders out of position while Vinícius exploits spaces behind.
Their main tactical weapon remains versatility: Real can switch seamlessly between quick counterattacks and structured build-up play depending on the game state.
Juventus’ Defensive Strategy
Juventus will almost certainly adopt a compact 5-3-2 formation, aiming to absorb pressure and strike on the counter. Tudor’s men will rely heavily on Locatelli’s distribution and Chiesa’s bursts of pace to transition from defense to attack.
However, their major challenge lies in maintaining discipline against Real’s fluid forward movement. Any lapse in marking Mbappé or Bellingham could prove fatal.
Key Battles to Watch
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Kylian Mbappé vs Bremer: The world’s most feared attacker against Juventus’ most physical defender — a duel that could decide the tone of the match.
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Bellingham vs Locatelli: The English star’s energy and creativity will clash with the Italian’s positional intelligence.
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Vinícius Jr vs Danilo: Vinícius thrives in 1v1 duels; Danilo must balance experience with speed to contain him.
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Yildiz vs Alaba: The young Turkish forward faces one of the smartest defenders in world football — a true test of his development.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches | Real Madrid Wins | Juventus Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
Historically, this fixture rarely disappoints.
Real Madrid and Juventus have met seven times in the Champions League since 2013, with no draws recorded in that span.
Their last meeting at the Bernabéu came in 2018, when Juventus shocked the home crowd with a 3–1 victory — though Madrid advanced 4–3 on aggregate, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s decisive penalty.
This time, the stakes are different — Real Madrid want to assert control over the new league-phase format, while Juventus simply need to prove they belong among Europe’s elite again.
What to Expect
The Santiago Bernabéu under the lights is a fortress.
Real Madrid enter this clash with supreme confidence, balance, and form. Juventus, on the other hand, look fragile and inconsistent, but their tactical discipline could frustrate Los Blancos in the early stages.
Expect Real Madrid to dominate possession (over 60%), force errors from Juventus’ defense, and look for an early breakthrough.
Juventus will rely on counters and set pieces, but sustaining pressure for 90 minutes against this Real side may prove impossible.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3 – 1 Juventus
Likely Goalscorers: Mbappé, Bellingham, Vinícius Jr (Real Madrid) – Yildiz (Juventus)
Expected xG (Expected Goals): 2.8 – 0.9
Betting Tips – Real Madrid vs Juventus
For fans interested in sports betting in Iraq and across the Middle East, this game offers both excitement and analytical value.
With Real Madrid in rampant form and Juventus struggling to find rhythm, several betting angles stand out — backed by recent form and tactical indicators.
Top Analytical Picks
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Real Madrid to Win & Over 2.5 Goals – Los Blancos have scored 3+ goals in four of their last five games.
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Kylian Mbappé to Score Anytime – The Frenchman is averaging a goal every 40 minutes in Europe this season.
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Both Teams to Score: Yes – Juventus often find late consolation goals even in defeat.
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Correct Score: 3–1 Real Madrid – Reflects both teams’ form and attacking tendencies.
While Real Madrid’s home dominance makes them overwhelming favorites, Juventus’ attacking intent means this could be an open and entertaining contest.
As always, fans engaging in sports betting in Iraq are encouraged to enjoy responsibly — using tactical knowledge and statistics to enhance the thrill, not to chase outcomes.
Real Madrid vs Juventus Conclusion
When Real Madrid vs Juventus unfolds at the Bernabéu, expect history, pride, and quality football in abundance.
For Real Madrid, it’s about continuing their march toward another European title under a new era of leadership. For Juventus, it’s about revival — restoring credibility and rediscovering their European identity.
Two clubs bound by legacy and ambition.
One stage — the Champions League — where only the strongest survive.
