Most clubs tend to release their line-ups about an hour and fifteen minutes before kick-off. Not Real Madrid. The 15-time European champion announces its starting XI way earlier.

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Why Real Madrid announces its starting line-ups early?

Frustration over consistent pre-match line-up leaks, particularly during the 2021-22 season, led to the club’s early announcement strategy. Journalists regularly revealed Carlo Ancelotti’s selections, often preempting the club’s official team news, much to the annoyance of both the organisation and some fans.

In years gone by, these leaks have led to division inside the Real Madrid dressing room with former manager, Jose Mourinho, seeking out a ‘mole’ who was leaking dressing room matters, including line-ups, to the media. He blamed goalkeeper and then captain Iker Casillas, who denied any wrongdoings.

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But Ancelotti’s Madrid has seemingly found a solution. Ahead of the first Madrid derby of 2021-22 against Atletico at the Bernabeu, Los Blancos published their line-up around two hours before kick-off. It is a tradition that has stuck.

The club also views it as an opportunity to boost the profile of its in-house TV channel, which is the first to publish the team news, and their social media channels. The line-up appears on those channels a few minutes after it is announced on Real Madrid TV.

As Real Madrid hosts Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal, its lineup will be available few hours before Mikel Arteta’s team.