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Real Madrid face one of the trickier away trips in European football this week — a nearly 7,000-kilometre journey to Almaty to take on Champions League debutants Kairat. The tie comes at a difficult time for Los Blancos, just days after a crushing 5–2 derby defeat to Atlético Madrid and ahead of another La Liga test against Villarreal.
Match details
Fixture: Kairat v Real Madrid
Competition: UEFA Champions League
Venue: Ortalyq Stadion, Almaty
Date: Thursday, 18 September 2025
Kick-off: 17:45 GMT+1
Real Madrid team news
Real Madrid arrive in Kazakhstan after an exhausting 11-hour flight from Spain.
Dani Carvajal, Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, and Ferland Mendy are all ruled out through injury.
Xabi Alonso may turn to Fede Valverde at right-back or hand a debut to academy defender David Jiménez.
Rodrygo is expected to start, with Vinícius Jr. likely to be rested.
Jude Bellingham remains in the XI as he looks to regain top form after a quiet showing in the Madrid derby.
Kairat team news
The Kazakh champions return home after a 4–1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in their group opener.
Kairat are second in the domestic league and have had a full week to prepare.
Dastán Satpáyev, 17, nicknamed the “Kazakh Lamine,” is the rising star — already scoring ten league goals this season and linked with Chelsea.
Kalmurza, 18, is set to start in goal amid the club’s ongoing goalkeeper dilemma.
Safe calls
Real Madrid to win: Despite travel fatigue and injuries, their quality should prevail.
Over 2.5 goals: Kairat attack bravely at home; Madrid will have chances.
Both teams not to score: Madrid’s experience should limit Kairat’s opportunities.
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