Team News: Federico Valverde starts for Real Madrid against Chelsea

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has named Federico Valverde in his starting XI for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

There were suggestions that Gareth Bale could be handed the spot on the right of a front three for Los Blancos, while Marco Asensio and Rodrygo were also pushing to start in that area of the field.

However, it appears that Valverde will operate on the right for Real Madrid, who will be looking to secure a positive result ahead of the reverse fixture at Bernabeu.

The rest of the side is as expected, with Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior also featuring in attack, while Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric start as the three midfielders.

Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy will operate in the full-back spots, with Eder Militao and David Alaba the two central defenders for the La Liga leaders.

There is also a Stamford Bridge return for Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, with the Belgium international preparing to tackle his former club.

REAL MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius