Real Madrid began their 2025/26 Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Olympique Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night, thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappé.
The French superstar converted two penalties to secure the win, bringing his tally to 50 goals in just 64 appearances for the club an astonishing strike rate that underlines his status as Madrid’s talisman.
However, the victory was not without setbacks. Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his much-anticipated debut, was forced off after just five minutes with a hamstring injury. Initial reports suggest he could be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, possibly missing up to two months of action, including crucial clashes against Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool.
Adding to the drama, Dani Carvajal who replaced Alexander-Arnold was sent off late in the game, leaving Madrid thin in defensive options. The one bright spot at the back was Álvaro Carreras, who impressed on his left-back debut with solid defensive positioning and composure under pressure.
For Carlo Ancelotti, the result offers relief in terms of points but raises serious questions about squad depth and how the team will cope with injuries and suspensions during a packed fixture list.