The knockout levels of the UEFA Champions League get underway tonight and reigning champions Actual Madrid are in motion on the Santiago Bernabeu as they .
The Merengues come into the match on the again of a disappointing 2-1 defeat by the hands of Actual Betis in La Liga and might want to step up in opposition to Diego Simeone’s males tonight.
The earlier two matches between the Spanish capital giants this season have resulted in attracts and Actual Madrid will need to keep away from a repeat and seize a victory in order to enter the second leg on the Metropolitano with a bonus.
Actual Madrid go into the sport with their midfield division weakened by the absences of Jude Bellingham (suspension) and Dani Ceballos (damage), whereas Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are additionally out injured.
The excellent news, although, is that key midfielder Federico Valverde skilled with none drawback on Monday and after lacking the final two matches with a hamstring drawback.
With the sport set to kick off in beneath 12 hours, right here’s how Carlo Ancelotti may set his Actual Madrid crew up in opposition to Simeone’s Atletico.
Defence
The goalkeeping spot for Actual Madrid will, as standard, be taken up by key celebrity Thibaut Courtois, who will must be on the high of his recreation in opposition to his former membership.
In the meantime, there are more likely to be a few adjustments within the defensive position as Raul Asencio ought to be reinstated on the coronary heart of the backline after being surprisingly neglected in opposition to Actual Betis. David Alaba will make method.
The opposite change ought to see Federico Valverde slot in at right-back, after impressing within the place in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. He’ll begin forward of Lucas Vazquez, whose defensive vulnerabilities are a significant explanation for concern.
Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy will full the remainder of the defensive position for the house crew.
Midfield
The absence of Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham is a trigger for fear, contemplating that each had been in high kind in latest weeks. So, will probably be fascinating to see how Ancelotti opts to take care of the problem.
What is for certain is that Aurelien Tchouameni will occupy one of many two pivot positions in the course of the park, from the place he’ll look to supply solidity and energy in midfield.
Whereas captain Luka Modric is an possibility, the Actual Madrid supervisor may lean in direction of Eduardo Camavinga as Tchouameni’s associate so as to add extra physicality and vitality in midfield in opposition to Atletico.
Brahim Diaz should be the direct alternative for Bellingham because the attacking midfielder, along with his imaginative and prescient and creativity changing into key to unlocking a cussed Atleti defence.
Assault
The entrance three of Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. decide themselves for Actual Madrid and should fireplace on all cylinders, particularly after a boring exhibiting in opposition to Actual Betis over the weekend.
Endrick and Arda Guler will probably be choices from the bench.
