Predicted Real Madrid Line-up To Face Borussia Dortmund In The Champions League
Real Madrid will look to end their UEFA Champions League group stages on a high, when they face off against Borussia Dortmund, at the Santiago Bernabeu, on Wednesday night.
The reigning European champions have already confirmed their progression to the knockout rounds of the competition, sitting 2nd in Group H with 10 points, 3 behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur. And manager Zinedine Zidane will be hoping that his side sign off with a win against Peter Bosz’s men, at home, especially so after the disappointing 0-0 draw against Athletic Bilbao in the La Liga over the weekend.
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Gareth Bale suffered another injury setback with the recurrence of his calf injury due to which he did not feature in the weekend clash. He remains a doubt for Wednesday night as well. Youngster Marco Asensio is ruled out along with Luca Zidane due to injuries while right-back Dani Carvajal is set to miss out due to suspension.
Here’s how the Galacticos might take the field against the German outfit:
Manager: Zinedine Zidane
Formation: 4-3-1-2
Keylor Navas (GK)
Back from injury, the Costa Rican has started the last two games for Real and should keep his place between the sticks.
Achraf Hakimi (RB)
With Carvajal out with a suspension, youngster Achraf Hakimi should get the nod at right-back for the champions.
Nacho (CB)
Keeping in mind the clash against Sevilla the coming weekend, Zidane might opt to rest fellow Frenchman Raphael Varane and hand Nacho a start in the centre of the defence.
Sergio Ramos (CB)
The club captain picked up a red card over the weekend and will be ruled out of the next league game. So, he will play the game against Dortmund.
Theo Hernandez (LB)
Once again, with the game against Sevilla in view, Marcelo might be given a day off and summer signing Theo Hernandez might get a start at left-back.
Dani Ceballos (CM)
The summer signing could be handed his first Champions League start on Wednesday night, having made three appearances from the bench in Europe so far this term.
Casemiro (CM)
The Brazilian brings the tenacity and the steely nature to the Madrid midfield. Should keep his place in the holding midfield role.
Mateo Kovacic (CM)
The former Inter Milan man should come into the starting XI for the midweek clash. Toni Kroos might be the man to make way.
Isco (CAM)
The Spaniard hasn’t been in the best of forms of late and will be keen on getting back into the zone with a strong display on Wednesday.
Borja Mayoral (ST)
The youngster scored a double in Madrid’s Copa Del Rey game last weekend. Could be given the go-ahead in place of the misfiring Karim Benzema.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST)
The Portuguese maverick may be firing blanks in the La Liga, but has been firing on all cylinders in the Champions League. 8 goals in 5 games already for the 32-year old and he will look to add more to his tally, against Dortmund.