Predicted Real Madrid Line-up To Face Borussia Dortmund In The Champions League
Real Madrid will face off against German Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund, in the group fixture of the UEFA Champions League, at the Signal Iduna Park, on Tuesday night.
The current European champions started off their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 win over APOEL Nicosia a couple of weeks back, but haven’t been able to hit their best strides in the La Liga campaign. However, a 2-1 win over Alaves over the weekend will be a confidence booster coming into the game against Dortmund, after the 1-0 midweek loss to Real Betis.
Team News
Injury concerns in plenty for manager Zinedine Zidane, as striker Karim Benzema is set to miss another game due to a hamstring problem. Left-back Marcelo too is unavailable until next month. Midfielder Mateo Kovacic and summer recruit Theo Hernandez are out.
Here’s how the Galacticos may take the field against Peter Bosz’s side:
Manager: Zinedine Zidane
Formation: 4-4-2 (Diamond)
Keylor Navas (GK)
The Costa Rican shot-stopper is a reliable presence between the sticks for Los Blancos and will keep his place in the playing XI.
Dani Carvajal (RB)
The Spaniard is the only recognised senior right-back available for Madrid and will feature from the get-go against Dortmund.
Raphael Varane (CB)
The 24-year old former Lens man has been the most solid of the Madrid defenders so far. Will look to continue his strong run of form.
Sergio Ramos (CB)
The captain is a pivotal part of the team but needs to keep his wits against a dangerous attack featuring the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Maximilian Philipp.
Nacho (LB)
With Marcelo and Theo Hernandez set to miss out, the left-back role should be taken up by utility man Nacho, just like he did against Alaves.
Casemiro (DM)
The Brazilian will assume his duties as the defensive screen for Madrid and look to break up play in the middle of the park.
Luka Modric (RCM)
The Croatian was rested for the weekend game against Alaves, but should return to the starting XI on Tuesday night, meaning Dani Ceballos, who scored a double on Saturday, may miss out.
Toni Kroos (LCM)
The former Bayern Munich man was also given a rest on Saturday, but should return to the fold against the German outfit.
Isco (CAM)
The 25-year old has gone off the boil in the last couple of games, after a stellar start to the seaosn. Will look to regain his form and cause troubles to the Dortmund defence.
Gareth Bale (ST)
The Welsh wizard watched the action from the bench over the weekend, but will most definitely make a comeback into the starting XI in a central role in the attack.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST)
The Portuguese maverick scored in the previous European fixture, but hasn’t been able to do so in the subsequent league games that have followed. Will look to find his goal-scoring touch on Tuesday.