MORNINGWIRE BREAKING WIRE English (UK)
morningwire.uk Morningwire Breaking Wire
Subscribe
Blog Business Local Politics Tech World

Real Madrid vs CD Leganés Lineups – Confirmed Starting XI and Team News

James Freddie Davies • 2026-06-05 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

Real Madrid faced CD Leganés on 29 March 2025 in a La Liga fixture that drew attention to team selection, formation choices, and injury absences. Both sides confirmed their starting XIs and tactical setups before kick-off, providing clear answers for fans and analysts tracking lineup decisions.

What are the confirmed lineups for Real Madrid vs Leganés?

MatchReal Madrid vs CD Leganés
Date29 March 2025 (La Liga) / 23 July 2025 (Friendly)
CompetitionLa Liga (29 Mar) / Club Friendly (July)
Real Madrid Formation4-2-3-1 (official) / 4-3-3 (training friendly)

Several key points stand out from the confirmed team sheets and match context:

  • Real Madrid’s official lineup on 29 March featured a mix of regular starters and squad players, with Andriy Lunin in goal.
  • A separate training friendly on 23 July saw a different XI, including Courtois and a more experimental setup.
  • Predicted lineups for upcoming fixtures depend on rotation patterns, injuries, and opponent strength.
  • Leganés, as the lower-ranked side, typically fields a compact defensive structure, making Madrid’s attacking lineup choice especially relevant.
  • Ferland Mendy was unavailable for Real Madrid due to injury.
  • Rubén Pulido was unavailable for Leganés.
  • Real Madrid’s bench included notable options such as Vinícius Jr., Valverde, Rodrygo, Tchouaméni, Endrick, and Alaba.
Snapshot Facts: Real Madrid vs Leganés (29 March 2025 La Liga)
Category Details
Real Madrid starting XI Lunin; Lucas Vázquez, Raúl Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García; Modrić, Camavinga; Arda Güler, Bellingham, Brahim Díaz; Mbappé
Leganés starting XI Dmitrovic; Rosier, Sergio González, Nastasić, Javi Hernández; Tapia, Neyou; Juan Cruz, Óscar Rodríguez, Dani Raba; Diego García
Real Madrid formation 4-2-3-1
Leganés formation 4-2-3-1
Real Madrid injury/unavailable Ferland Mendy
Leganés injury/unavailable Rubén Pulido
Real Madrid bench (selected) Vinícius Jr., Valverde, Rodrygo, Tchouaméni, Endrick, Alaba
Competition La Liga
Date 29 March 2025

What is the predicted lineup for Real Madrid vs Leganés?

For the 29 March La Liga match, the confirmed XI matched the expected lineup used by major match trackers and the club’s own announcement. According to Fotmob and Sky Sports, there was no major surprise in the selection. Carlo Ancelotti opted for a 4-2-3-1 shape with Luka Modrić and Eduardo Camavinga in the double pivot, and Jude Bellingham operating behind Kylian Mbappé.

Team news and injury updates

Fotmob listed Ferland Mendy as unavailable for Real Madrid, while Leganés were without centre-back Rubén Pulido. The official Real Madrid match post confirmed several high-impact substitutes on the bench, including Vinícius Jr., Federico Valverde, and Rodrygo, indicating depth in attacking areas.

Lineup context

The confirmed Real Madrid starting XI on 29 March included four changes from the previous league outing, reflecting rotation ahead of a busy schedule. Leganés, meanwhile, fielded their strongest available side, with Tapia and Neyou anchoring the midfield.

Key players to watch

For Real Madrid, the combination of Bellingham and Mbappé in the same XI created significant attacking threat. On the Leganés side, winger Juan Cruz and striker Diego García were the primary outlets in transition. The bench options for Madrid also meant that the team could shift to a more aggressive setup if needed.

What was the result and key moments of Real Madrid vs Leganés?

Detailed match results and goal scorers for the 29 March La Liga fixture were not confirmed in the available lineup sources. The information that was verified relates exclusively to the starting XIs, formations, and injury lists. For live score updates, official sources such as La Liga’s official site and Real Madrid’s club website provide real-time data.

Uncertainty about match score

The final score and goal details for the 29 March match were not included in the official lineup announcements or team news reports reviewed for this article. Any score reported elsewhere remains unconfirmed by the sources used here.

Substitutions and tactical shifts

While specific substitution timings were not documented in the lineup data, the presence of Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo, and Endrick on the bench gave Ancelotti multiple options to change the game. Leganés, with a deeper bench, also had the ability to introduce fresh legs in wide areas.

Where can I see the live lineups and match updates?

For future Real Madrid fixtures, live lineup reveal typically occurs approximately one hour before kick-off. Official club channels on social media, La Liga’s platform, and major sports broadcasters are the most reliable sources. ESPN Deportes also provides confirmed team sheets and match coverage.

How to verify lineups

Always cross-check lineup information with at least two independent sources such as Sky Sports, Fotmob, or the official Real Madrid website. Social media posts from unofficial accounts may not reflect the final XI.

Apps and platforms showing live lineups

Fotmob and Sky Sports both offer real-time lineup graphics with formation diagrams. Besoccer also provides detailed lineups for friendly matches, including the training encounter on 23 July 2025. For the highest degree of certainty, the official La Liga match centre is recommended.

Timeline: Real Madrid vs Leganés match events (latest)

  1. – Official La Liga match: lineups confirmed by Sky Sports, Fotmob, and Real Madrid’s official website. Real Madrid (4-2-3-1) vs Leganés (4-2-3-1).
  2. – Real Madrid vs Leganés friendly (training match) reported by AS via Instagram. Lineup included Courtois, Carvajal, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Valverde, Ceballos, Brahim, Vinicius, Gonzalo and Mbappé.

What information is confirmed versus uncertain about the lineups?

Established information Information that remains unclear
The starting XI for the 29 March La Liga match is verified by multiple official sources: Sky Sports, Fotmob, ESPN Deportes, and the Real Madrid club website. The lineup for the 23 July friendly is based on a training report from AS via Instagram, not an official club release.
Real Madrid used a 4-2-3-1 formation in the official match; Leganés also used a 4-2-3-1. The exact tactical setup for the friendly is not independently confirmed by the club.
Ferland Mendy was unavailable for Real Madrid; Rubén Pulido was unavailable for Leganés. Predicted lineups for future fixtures remain speculative until official confirmation.
Real Madrid’s bench included Vinícius Jr., Valverde, Rodrygo, Tchouaméni, Endrick, and Alaba. The reasons for specific rotation choices were not detailed in the sources reviewed.

What context helps explain the lineup decisions?

Real Madrid regularly rotate between La Liga and cup or friendly matches to manage player fitness. The 29 March lineup reflected a balance between stability and rest, with Modrić and Camavinga paired in midfield and Mbappé leading the attack. Against a Leganés side that tends to defend deep, Ancelotti selected creative players such as Arda Güler and Brahim Díaz to unlock a compact block.

Historically, Real Madrid have won five of the last six meetings against Leganés, which may have influenced the decision to rest certain key players while still fielding a competitive eleven. The absence of Ferland Mendy meant Fran García started at left-back, while Leganés missing Rubén Pulido forced a change in their central defensive pairing.

For more on squad depth and rotation patterns, see Crystal Palace vs Man City: FA Cup Win & Premier League.

Where do these lineup reports come from?

The lineup information for the 29 March La Liga match was sourced from the official Real Madrid website, Sky Sports, Fotmob, and ESPN Deportes. These are established sports broadcasters and official club channels with high editorial standards.

“View the starting lineups and subs for the Real Madrid vs Leganes match on 29.03.2025.”

— Sky Sports

“The lineups are: Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Andriy Lunin – Lucas Vázquez, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rüdiger, Francisco Garcia – Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga – Arda Güler…”

— Fotmob

“Starting lineup was: Courtois, Carvajal, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Valverde, Ceballos, Brahim, Vinicius, Gonzalo and Mbappé.”

— Instagram (via AS) on the 23 July training friendly

The friendly lineup report from AS via Instagram carries lower certainty because it was not published through official club channels. For the most authoritative information, direct sources such as Real Madrid’s official match post remain the benchmark.

What should you remember about Real Madrid vs Leganés lineups?

The confirmed lineups for the 29 March 2025 La Liga match are well documented across multiple trusted sources. Any discussion of predicted or friendly lineups should be treated with appropriate caution, as those reports carry lower verification. For future matchdays, official club and league channels provide the most reliable confirmation.

For another detailed match review, see Wrexham vs Leicester City – Late Goal Denies Wrexham Win.

Frequently asked questions about Real Madrid vs Leganés lineups

Is the lineup from Instagram official?

No, it was reported by AS from a training match; the club did not officially release it.

Why did Real Madrid use a different lineup in the friendly?

Friendlies are often used to give minutes to squad players and test tactical combinations.

Where can I find the official lineup one hour before kick-off?

Official Real Madrid social media, La Liga’s official site, or Sky Sports live updates are the most reliable sources.

How does Leganés typically line up against Real Madrid?

Leganés usually employs a 4-4-2 or 5-4-1 defensive shape. Their confirmed lineup for 29 March was a 4-2-3-1.

Was Kylian Mbappé in the starting XI on 29 March?

Yes, Mbappé started as the centre-forward in the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bellingham just behind him.

Who was the goalkeeper for Real Madrid against Leganés?

Andriy Lunin started in goal for Real Madrid on 29 March, with Courtois on the bench.

Did Vinícius Jr. start the match?

No, Vinícius Jr. was on the bench. Brahim Díaz started on the left wing.

What formation did Leganés use?

Leganés lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, matching Real Madrid’s structural shape.

Are there any long-term injuries affecting the lineups?

Ferland Mendy was unavailable for Real Madrid and Rubén Pulido for Leganés, both listed as out for the 29 March match.

Where can I see the full bench for Real Madrid?

The official Real Madrid match post listed substitutes including Courtois, Carvajal, Vinícius Jr., Valverde, Rodrygo, Tchouaméni, Endrick, and Alaba.

James Freddie Davies

About the author

James Freddie Davies

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.