Real Madrid face AEK Athens on 4 November with Vinícius set to start

Squad news ahead of Athens

Real Madrid meet AEK Athens at 18.45 on Wednesday, 4 November, in the fourth matchday of the Champions League league phase, with three wins from three matches against Inter, Roma and RB Leipzig. Fede Valverde returns to the squad after resting in Santander with muscle discomfort, having completed a second training session with the group on 3 November. Sergio Martínez, signed from Racing in the summer of 2026, is also in the list, while Raúl Asencio, who had surgery for a tibial stress fracture, and Rodrygo, still recovering from a knee injury, remain out. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler did not travel to Athens. Before the trip, Real Madrid held a minute's silence at Valdebebas after the death of Jesús de Miguel, a CD Tenerife player, and Mourinho described the death as shocking.

Vinícius back in the starting line

Vinícius Júnior has not played since 21 October and is serving a four-match league sanction for pulling the hair of Saliba and protesting to the referee in the match against Villarreal. El Mundo reports that he is due back in La Liga against Celta on 21 November, while ABC says the ban ends on Saturday, 7 November, at Mestalla. Mourinho confirmed on 3 November that Vinícius will start in Athens and said he is best suited to the left flank. Before the sanction, the coach had asked him to change his rest and recovery routines, and since then he has done double sessions at Valdebebas and at home with his trainer, Thiago Lobo, according to El Mundo.

Diomande and the left flank

Madrid have won three matches without Vinícius, beating Sevilla 4-1, winning 2-1 at Barcelona's Camp Nou and beating Racing 3-0. ABC credits Yan Diomande with four goals and three assists in his last matches, which has made the left side his own. Mourinho said Diomande can play on both flanks, with Brahim Díaz and Endrick also able to cover the wings. Club sources describe Vinícius as blocked in his current form, and El Mundo reports that frustration is visible both at the club and in the player himself.

Mourinho on the squad and Europe

Mourinho declined to compare this squad with his 2010 to 2013 side, saying the team has not won anything yet and needs three seasons to reach its best. La Vanguardia reports that his contract runs to 2029, and he cited his Champions League wins with Porto and Inter as the context for a third title with a third club. He said the Roma comeback had emotional impact but was not a turning point in play. The coach called the trip to Athens between two league games inopportune, saying Madrid are close to a playoff place but far from qualifying directly for the round of 16. Madrid have won only one of their eight matches in Athens, which Mourinho asked his players to take seriously. Valverde, whom Mourinho called captain, was built as a midfielder in the squad plan but could play left-back out of necessity. Madrid still face Arsenal at the Emirates later in the league phase.