Real Madrid 0-0 Union Berlin – Champions League LIVE: Jude Bellingham starts for Los Blancos as Leonardo Bonucci faces old enemies with German debutants

Frederik Ronnow makes an impressive appearance between the sticks for Union as he handles Luka Modric’s corner and subsequent cross to claim the ball with confidence.

Joselu headed just wide at the back post after Lucas Vasquez’s cross from the right. That could have easily gone in.

Union took their chances with crosses into the penalty area and Madrid were sloppy with them, but in the end Kepa got away with the ball.

Jude Bellingham just put a beautiful ball over the top and Joselu put his head on it, but it was a comfortable save for Frederik Ronnow.

Kevin Behrens puts a ball in the penalty area for Sheraldo Becker, but he cannot convert from close range under pressure from Antonio Rüdiger.

Lucas Tousart receives a yellow card after a foul on Luka Modric in the middle of the park. A bit soft, a pull that brought the Croatian midfielder down halfway in the first minute.

Real Madrid is helping us on our way.

Some hymn-like music drips onto the ground as the players and fans remember those who recently lost their lives in Morocco and Libya.

The Champions League theme song is greeted with cheers by some supporters.

The players stand next to each other and the officials in the tunnel, exchanging fist bumps and stern expressions as the wide-eyed mascots take in the majesty of their heroes.

Kepa will always be remembered as the goalkeeper who refused to come down.

In the 2019 League Cup final, he defied Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri’s orders to leave for Willy Caballero. Wembley was shocked.

Now he is here at Madrid living his best life. He rebuilt his reputation at Chelsea, regained his place and this summer Madrid selected him as the lucky replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois.

I imagine Carlo Ancelotti’s players would love to make their own manager eat his words!

It’s rare that the league’s most storied team isn’t favorites for the trophy. They just find a way to win it.

We start at 5.45 pm.

Real Madrid come into this campaign tonight with a perfect record with five wins from five LaLiga appearances.

The addition of Jude Bellingham behind a front two has proven revealing. He often appears in the penalty area with a tap. Even though he is a link in midfield, he has been an excellent striker for Madrid. They are at the top of the table.

Union has given their campaign a modest boost. A few wins and a few defeats leave them eighth in the Bundesliga. They’ve lost two in a row.

One of their two strikers tonight, Kevin Behrens, has scored four goals in the league.

It’s also a funny moment for Lucas Tousart, the midfielder they acquired from rivals Hertha Berlin this summer. Goodbye Hertha, hello Champions League.

Union wants to build on its fourth place in the German top flight.

Gray midfield warhorse Toni Kroos will not start tonight, but he will hope to bring a touch of quality off the bench – if only to get one above his brother!

It’s a story of two cities and one Kroos family, as brother Felix Kroos is part of Union’s U19 coaching staff.

Madrid or Union, white or red, old or young, passion is in full swing outside the Bernabeu.

The decibel levels will be ridiculous in a real earth cauldron.

Doesn’t Carlo Ancelotti look as cool as ever?

Even in the face of an avalanche, he seemed unfazed. He has now won four Champions Leagues. He’s seen it all.

For Union Berlin fans, it must be surreal to see their side in the Champions League, even considering their recent history. This is a club with fresh wounds.

It wasn’t until 2004 that they almost went bankrupt. Just over ten years ago they were in the fourth German tier. Fans helped rebuild a stand with their own hands and gave their blood for the club. How on earth did they get here?

Dominic Hogan, look. Read below.

And Union have announced their line-up to represent the club in this competition for the first time.

No surprises as defensive stalwart Leonardo Bonucci is on hand from the start for his debut, as is Robin Gosens, who played a role in Inter Milan’s defeat to Manchester City in June’s final.

Union tends to field a 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1.

Carlo Ancelotti has released his team overview well before kick-off and this is the line-up he will field against Union Berlin.

Jude Bellingham starts, of course.

Such is the excitement surrounding Jude Bellingham that pundits on television and in pubs across the country are labeling the young midfielder as a potential Ballon d’Or winner.

After joining Los Blancos this summer, he is set to make his first appearance with them in the Champions League, having already made his mark in the tournament with Borussia Dortmund.

He has already broken several records: youngest Englishman to score in the league, youngest player to start ten games, most goals scored by a teenager (although he is now twenty), and so on. You would support him to shine in the Champions League in the coming years.

Under brilliant lights, Union took in their new surroundings during training at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday.

The iconic venue will host the clash tonight.

There are a number of seasoned professionals in this team: Leonardo Bonucci, nine-time Serie A winner, leads the defense. There are also people like Kevin Volland in the attacking ranks, but more about that later.

Good afternoon and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog as Real Madrid give Union Berlin a baptism of fire in the Champions League.

We’re set for an exciting encounter as the 14-time winners of the competition host starry-eyed debutants.

However, don’t make the mistake of writing off Union. That’s a dangerous road. The German team has exceeded expectations in recent years, and they are eager to prove their doubters wrong tonight.

We have all the build-up and action here. Don’t go anywhere.