Real Madrid’s defense of their Champions League crown has been far from impressive, but Los Blancos can secure their place in the knockout stages of the competition on Wednesday night.
The European giants host struggling RB Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu knowing victory is likely to secure them a place in the play-offs at the end of the league stage, but the Spanish giants can hardly afford complacency in midweek having already lost to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool in the competition.
Carlo Ancelotti, who was recently linked with a move away from Madrid this summerhas a few defensive conundrums to sort out before Wednesday night, but has seen his team make big strides in the final third since the turn of the year.
Here’s how Madrid could line up for an important duel with Austria’s Salzburg.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – Madrid’s defensive woes mean Courtois can expect to work with him on Wednesday, even by underdogs Salzburg, who visit the Spanish capital under new management.
RB: Federico Valverde – Dani Carvajal’s season-ending injury and Lucas Vazquez’s European suspension mean Ancelotti will change his back line. Valverde, who has played occasionally at right-back this term, is likely to step in for the absent Spaniards.
CB: Raul Asencio – Injuries at centre-back have caused problems for Madrid this term, but the silver lining is youngster Asencio, who has greatly impressed during his regular forays into the first team.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – The long-awaited return of David Alaba at the weekend boosts Ancelotti’s options at the back and Rudiger will be ready to see the Austrian line-up alongside him sooner rather than later.
LB: Ferland Mendy – Fran Garcia has started the last two games for Madrid, but Mendy could be favored in midweek, with rest and rotation important for Los Blancos after a busy start to the calendar year.
DM: Luka Modric – Suspended for weekend victory over Las PalmasModric will be used in the engine room on Wednesday following injuries to Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.
DM: Dani Ceballos – Starts have not been common for Ceballos this season, but he has been named in the XI for the last two games. With Valverde moved to right-back, he should score a hat-trick against Salzburg.
RW: Rodrygo – The Brazilian impressed on Sunday afternoon, adding a fourth goal to the tally after half-time. He has now scored three times in his last four appearances for Los Blancos and will fancy his chances to add to his tally against porous Salzburg.
AM: Jude Bellingham – Madrid endured a frustrating afternoon at the weekend with the video assistant referee ruling out three shots for the reigning Spanish champions. Bellingham is one of those who downplayed his efforts.
LW: Vinicius Junior – Vinicius joined Modric in the stands on Sunday as he also sat out a suspension, but the tireless superstar will be back in midweek. He scored five in as many Champions League game this season.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – After a slow start to life in Spain, Mbappe has found his feet. Eight goals in his last ten have boosted confidence levels and the Frenchman will be ready to punish Salzburg following the return of Thomas Letsch.
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