Actual Madrid pulled off a shocking comeback win to take a 3-2 lead over Manchester Metropolis within the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockouts playoff earlier this week.
Contemplating that the Merengues had been trailing for a big a part of the sport and that it was the away leg, the result’s value its weight in gold.
The second 90 minutes of motion will unfold subsequent week on the Santiago Bernabeu and Actual Madrid are the agency favorite, provided that they’ll have the followers behind them.
The constructive replace
The Merengues had been with out key defenders in David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Lucas Vazquez in opposition to Pep Guardiola’s facet and fielded Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni in central defence with Federico Valverde at right-back.
Now, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed by his pre-match press convention in opposition to Osasuna that the recoveries of all three gamers goes nicely and that they are going to be match for the second leg.
“They’re enhancing. They may proceed with particular person work till Monday and shall be accessible in opposition to Metropolis. Together with Lucas Vazquez,” .
For sure, this comes as a large increase to Ancelotti and Actual Madrid’s plans for having three starting-quality defenders again for the return leg is invaluable.
One can count on Vazquez and Rudiger to immediately stroll into the beginning lineup in opposition to Pep Guardiola’s facet if they’re declared match, particularly contemplating how they’ve been important all season.
With Alaba, the supervisor will look to exert extra warning. In any case, the participant returned after a yr out solely final month and it’s essential to take issues gradual along with his health.
As for the crew’s sport , Ancelotti will doubtless stick with Tchouameni, Asencio, and Federico Valverde as his stand-ins.