Leonardo Bonucci starts for Union Berlin in a historic Champions League game against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.
It is the Germans’ first-ever match in Europe’s elite competition and Bonucci starts in a back-three with Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi.
This is also Bonucci’s debut with the Bundesliga side which he joined on the deadline day from Juventus.
The Italy international controversially left Turin at the end of the summer, suing his former club a few days after his transfer to Germany.
He has claimed professional and image rights as Juventus forced him to train separately from the rest of the team and didn’t include him in their squad for a pre-season tournée in the USA in July.
Bonucci has signed a one-year contract with Union Berlin and still hopes to get an Italy call-up for the 2024 Euros, assuming Italy qualify.
The Azzurri boss Luciano Spalletti said during a press conference last week that Bonucci “still wants to help” the national team.
Real Madrid-Union Berlin – confirmed line-ups
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Kepa; Lucas Vasquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Nacho; Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Joselu, Rodrygo.
Union Berlin (3-5-2): Rannow; Doekhi, Bonucci, Diogo Leite; Juranovic, Tousart, Kral, Laidouni, Gosens; Becker, Behrens.