Honestly, if you looked at the Real Madrid team bus pulling up to the Bernabéu this afternoon, you might have mistaken it for a Castilla youth academy outing. It’s been a weird, somewhat chaotic week in the Spanish capital. After the shock 3-2 exit in the Copa del Rey to Albacete—a result that still feels a bit like a fever dream—interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa has a massive job on his hands. Everyone is asking about the real madrid formation for today because, frankly, the medical room is more crowded than the midfield right now.
Arbeloa is effectively steering a ship through a storm. With Xabi Alonso under immense pressure and the squad decimated by injuries, the lineup for this Matchday 20 clash against Levante is less about "perfect tactics" and more about survival.
The Defensive Crisis No One Saw Coming
The backline is basically a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing. You’ve got Eder Militao out with a serious hamstring issue and Antonio Rudiger sidelined with knee trouble from the Super Cup. Oh, and let's not forget Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose thigh injury is keeping him out until February. It’s brutal.
Because of this, the real madrid formation for today is likely to feature a very young central pairing. We’re talking about Raul Asencio and Dean Huijsen. These kids are talented, sure, but asking them to anchor the defense for the biggest club in the world is a tall order. Dani Carvajal is expected to start at right-back after being rested (mostly) against Albacete, and Alvaro Carreras should slot in on the left since Ferland Mendy is still nursing muscular problems.
It’s not ideal. At all. But in Madrid, "ideal" is a luxury they can't afford right now.
Midfield Grit and the Bellingham Factor
In the middle of the park, things look a bit more "Real Madrid." Arbeloa is expected to recall the big guns who sat out the cup disaster. Jude Bellingham is the heartbeat of this side, and seeing him back in the starting XI is the only thing keeping most Madridistas sane today.
- Aurélien Tchouaméni will sit deep. He has to. With the defense looking shaky, his role as a screen is more critical than ever.
- Federico Valverde brings the engine. He’ll be covering every blade of grass, probably helping Carvajal deal with Levante’s transitions.
- Arda Guler might actually get the nod in a more advanced creative role.
The balance is tricky. If Arbeloa goes too offensive, that young defense gets exposed. If he’s too cautious, the Bernabéu crowd—who were already booing during the halftime break against Levante earlier—will let them hear it.
Predicting the Real Madrid Formation for Today
So, what does the chalkboard actually look like? Most signs point to a 4-3-3, though it often morphs into a 4-4-2 diamond depending on where Bellingham drifts.
The Projected XI:
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Thank God he's back and rested).
- Defense: Carvajal, Huijsen, Asencio, Carreras.
- Midfield: Valverde, Tchouaméni, Bellingham.
- Attack: Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior.
It’s a lopsided setup. On paper, that front three of Vini, Mbappé, and Guler should be illegal. In reality, they’ve struggled to find a rhythm. Mbappé is coming off a knee injury that he arguably rushed back from, and Vinícius was seen in tears recently due to the intense pressure and some unfortunate booing from the home fans. It’s heavy.
Why the 4-3-3 Might Struggle
The big issue with the real madrid formation for today is the lack of natural width on the right if Guler tucks inside. Without Rodrygo (who is ruled out) or Brahim Diaz (away at AFCON), the right flank can become a bit of a ghost town. This forces Valverde to overlap constantly, which then leaves Tchouaméni isolated.
Levante might be 19th in the table, but they aren't stupid. They’ll look at Asencio and Huijsen and see a target. If Madrid doesn't control the tempo early, this could be another long afternoon at the Chamartín.
✨ Don't miss: adidas 4DFWD 4: Is This Actually Better Than Traditional Foam?
Practical Insights for Today’s Match
If you’re watching the game or tracking the stats, keep an eye on these specific tactical shifts. They’ll tell you exactly how the match is going before the scoreline even changes.
- Watch the High Press: Arbeloa has hinted at a more aggressive press to protect his young defenders. If Mbappé and Vini aren't tracking back, the full-backs will get doubled up on.
- Bellingham’s Depth: If Jude is playing almost as a second striker, it means Madrid is confident. If he’s dropping deep to pick up the ball from the center-backs, it means the buildup play is failing.
- The "Asencio" Channel: Watch how Levante tries to isolate Raul Asencio. He’s a great prospect, but veteran La Liga strikers know every trick in the book to draw fouls or find space behind a youngster.
The reality is that Real Madrid is four points behind Barcelona. There is zero margin for error. A win today isn't just about three points; it’s about stopping the bleeding before the Champions League clash against Monaco on Tuesday.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the official team sheet released 60 minutes before kickoff. Any late change, like Rudiger surprisingly making the bench or a shift to a three-man defense, would radically alter how Madrid handles Levante's counter-attacks. Monitor the heat maps for Valverde specifically; his positioning will reveal whether Arbeloa is prioritizing defensive cover or offensive width.