Mbappé in Form as Real Host Juventus

Real Madrid are set to host Juventus on Oct. 22 at the Santiago Bernabéu in a Champions League Matchday 3 tie. Real arrive in strong form under Xabi Alonso, unbeaten in two UCL games and buoyed by Kylian Mbappé’s long scoring run, having won 10 of 11 competitive matches this season despite a recent 5–2 loss to Atlético. Real face defensive absences — Antonio Rüdiger is sidelined until December while Trent Alexander‑Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal are expected to return soon — and Alonso must weigh the Jude Bellingham–Arda Guler dynamic when choosing his XI. Juventus have not won in six across competitions, have drawn both Champions League games in high‑scoring affairs and face mounting pressure on manager Igor Tudor; they are missing Fabio Miretti and Bremer but could call on players such as Weston McKennie and Jonathan David. The fixture renews a long‑standing rivalry after recent meetings including the Club World Cup and carries fresh narrative around Real’s tendency to earn penalties this season, placing Juventus’ defense under particular scrutiny. The match headlines a packed midweek UCL slate — including Chelsea-Ajax, Bayern-Club Brugge and Liverpool-Eintracht Frankfurt — with most fixtures streaming on Paramount+ and select windows on CBS Sports Network/Golazo.