The international Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, who officiated the Champions League final two years ago, will take charge of the match.

European football fans’ attention will turn to the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Wednesday evening, where a special European classic unfolds as Real Madrid hosts Italian side Juventus. This decisive clash is part of the third round of the new group stage of the UEFA Champions League, kicking off at 10:00 PM Mecca time.

Real Madrid enters the match at peak European form, having secured two consecutive wins, earning a perfect six points and placing them eighth in the overall standings. Led by coach Xabi Alonso, the team aims to maintain its strong performances and assert its continental dominance in a competition it historically leads with 15 titles.

Juventus, however, faces a completely different situation. Igor Tudor’s side has failed to win in their first two matches, drawing both to collect only two points and sit 24th in the standings. This match represents a crucial test for the Bianconeri to correct course before it’s too late.

Tudor warns: “Mbappé isn’t the only threat”

During the pre-match press conference, Igor Tudor did not hide the difficulty awaiting his team. When asked how to stop French star Kylian Mbappé, he emphasized that the threat does not lie with a single player.

“I’ve watched all of Real Madrid’s matches. They can score against you out of nowhere due to their extraordinary skills,” said the Juventus coach. “My team always attacks with everything we have. We can’t focus solely on Mbappé, even though he is very important for Real Madrid. Every player is important, and we must focus on all of them.”

Tudor’s remarks underline the attacking firepower Alonso possesses with Vinícius Júnior, Arda Güler, and Mbappé. He also addressed the pressures on his team, stating, “I expect a strong reaction from the team. My presence here is a big motivation. I’m not thinking about my future but about how to develop my team.”

Tactical change in Madrid: Valverde at right-back against Yildiz

At the Madrid camp, Spanish media reports, notably from Marca, revealed a potential tactical surprise from coach Xabi Alonso. With Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga returning to midfield and the abundance of talent in this area, alongside the desire to avoid risking recently recovered players Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal, Alonso appears ready to deploy Uruguayan Federico Valverde as right-back.

This adjustment would not be purely defensive. Valverde’s participation in this position is also intended to reduce the threat of Juventus’ rising Turkish winger Kenan Yildiz, leveraging Valverde’s physical strength and speed in recovery.

Real Madrid’s attack is expected to be led by the explosive trio of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Turkish talent Arda Güler on the right wing, supported by a midfield featuring Bellingham, Tchouaméni, and Camavinga.

Alonso and the “Clasico” challenge

Real Madrid is approaching tonight’s game with upcoming commitments in mind. In just four days, the club will host arch-rivals Barcelona in the domestic “Clasico.” This factor pushes Alonso to balance winning in Europe with maintaining his players’ readiness.

According to Spanish media, Alonso plans a tactical surprise by placing Valverde at right-back. The decision comes as the coach prefers not to risk Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal, both recently recovered from injuries. The move is tactical, allowing Valverde to use his physical power and speed to neutralize one of Juventus’ most dangerous attackers this season, Kenan Yildiz.

With Bellingham and Camavinga back in midfield, positioning Valverde in defense becomes an ideal solution that addresses both defensive and tactical needs.

Evenly matched history and final referee

The history between the two clubs reflects intense competition. They have met in 21 official matches, with Real Madrid winning ten and Juventus nine, while two ended in draws. Goals scored are very close as well (26 for Madrid versus 25 for Juventus).

Slovenian international referee Slavko Vincic, who officiated the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund two years ago, will oversee the match.

The game carries significant weight under the new tournament format, with Real Madrid seeking to secure a top-eight spot for direct qualification, while Juventus fights to escape the 9th-24th zone that leads to the playoff stage.