Six Changes in Real Madrid’s Lineup for the LaLiga Clash with Sevilla. Álvaro Arbeloa has made sweeping changes to Real Madrid’s starting lineup for the game against Sevilla. Mbappé and Carvajal return to the starting eleven. The match is critical for both teams: one is battling for survival, the other — for prestige.
Álvaro Arbeloa made sweeping changes to Real Madrid’s starting lineup ahead of their clash with Sevilla in Matchday 37 of LaLiga EA Sports. There are six new names in the starting eleven compared to the previous game. The main changes are the return of Mbappé, who missed the last match following tensions within the team, and Carvajal, who took his place on the right flank of defense.
Along with them, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Fran García and Thiago Pitarch were also introduced to the lineup. This overhaul is not only due to internal conflicts, but also reflects the coaching staff’s desire to give players a chance to prove themselves in the closing stages of the season. According to RUSSPAIN, Mbappé is back in the spotlight after his sharp remarks about his role in the team and fans’ reaction to his performance.
Sevilla approaches the match in 12th place with 43 points, holding only a slim margin above the relegation zone. A draw is enough for the Andalusian side to secure their top-flight status. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has already secured second place with 80 points, but Arbeloa’s team is determined to end the season on a high note, despite the lack of tournament intrigue.
Ahead of the match, the Real Madrid coach publicly commented on the situation around Mbappé and tried to ease the tensions, noting that the player’s discontent after the last rotation is a normal reaction of a professional. The club hopes that the return of leaders will help the team maintain their fighting spirit and avoid further conflicts in the dressing room.
The standings remain tense not only for Sevilla but also for several other clubs. Osasuna and Espanyol are just one point behind, while Girona and Alavés are three points adrift. The fight for survival at the bottom of the table is very tight, and the outcome of each match could prove decisive.
Against this backdrop, fans' attention is focused not only on the sporting side but also on internal processes at Real Madrid. After the defeat in El Clásico and Barcelona's win in the league, as well as recent statements from Mbappé, the atmosphere within the club remains tense. However, such situations are not uncommon for Spain's top clubs: recently in the basketball EuroLeague, Valencia Basket also found itself in the spotlight due to a decisive match for reaching the Final Four, as detailed in the report on the battle between Valencia Basket and Panathinaikos.
For reference: LaLiga EA Sports is Spain’s top football championship, featuring the country’s 20 strongest clubs. In the 2025/26 season, the fight for survival and the race for European spots traditionally intensify in the final rounds. For Real Madrid, Mbappé and Vinicius remain among the most prolific players, and the return of Carvajal could strengthen the team's defense in crucial matches.
