Real Madrid’s defense of the Champions League title has been less than impressive, but Los Blancos can all but 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 that victory at the end of the league phase will likely secure them a place in the play-offs, but the Spanish giants can ill afford midweek complacency after already losing against Lille, AC Milan and others lost to Liverpool in the competition.
Carlo Ancelotti, recently linked with a move away from Madrid this summer, still has a few defensive issues to sort out before Wednesday night but has seen his side really pick up pace in the final third since the turn of the year.
So Madrid could line up for an important duel with Austrian club Salzburg.
TW: Thibaut Courtois – Madrid’s defensive woes mean Courtois will face pressure on Wednesday, even against failed Salzburg, who visit the Spanish capital under new management.
RB: Federico Valverde – Dani Carvajal’s season-ending injury and Lucas Vazquez’s European ban mean Ancelotti will have to regroup his defensive line. Valverde, who has occasionally been deployed at right-back this season, is likely to fill in for the absent Spaniards.
CB: Raul Asencio – Injuries at centre-back have caused Madrid problems this season, but the ray of hope has been the young Asencio, who has largely impressed in his regular first-team appearances.
CB: Antonio Rüdiger – David Alaba’s much-anticipated return at the weekend strengthens Ancelotti’s options in defense and Rüdiger will be eager to see the Austrian side at his side sooner rather than later.
LB: Ferland Mendy – Fran Garcia has started Madrid’s last two games but Mendy could be the midweek favorite as rest and rotation are important for Los Blancos after a hectic start to the calendar year.
DM: Luka Modric – Modric was suspended for the weekend’s win over Las Palmas and will be in the engine room on Wednesday following injuries to Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.
DM: Dani Ceballos – Starts have not been commonplace for Ceballos this season, but he has been called into the eleven for the last two games. With Valverde being shifted to right-back, he should score a hat-trick against Salzburg.
RW: Rodrygo – The Brazilian impressed on Sunday afternoon, scoring his fourth goal after half-time. He has now scored three goals in his last four appearances for Los Blancos and hopes to be able to extend his tally against the porous Salzburg team.
AM: Jude Bellingham – Madrid endured a frustrating afternoon at the weekend due to the video assistant referee ruling out three goals for the reigning Spanish champions. Bellingham is one of those whose efforts have been foiled.
LW: Vinicius Junior – Vinicius sat alongside Modric in the stands on Sunday as he was also sidelined through suspension, but the tireless superstar will make his comeback in midweek. He has scored five goals in as many Champions League games this season.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – After a slow start to life in Spain, Mbappe has found his feet again. Eight goals in his last ten have boosted confidence and the Frenchman will be keen to punish Salzburg when Thomas Letsch returns.