Motivated by a perceived sense of inequity stemming from their previous match, Real Madrid strives to finalize their task against RB Leipzig in the forthcoming second leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter at the Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday.
Under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid squad enters the fray with a slender 1-0 lead secured from the initial leg played three weeks earlier, a margin that offers no guarantee of victory and provides ample opportunity for their Bundesliga opponents to narrow or overturn the deficit.
Match preview
In the recent fixture, Jude Bellingham, sidelined due to an ankle injury, witnessed his teammate Brahim Diaz deliver a remarkable individual performance at the Red Bull Arena, effectively settling the first leg of their last-16 encounter against Leipzig. Diaz navigated through Leipzig’s defense skillfully, culminating in a stylish goal into the top corner of the net.
Despite the offensive prowess of Ancelotti’s squad, exemplified by Benjamin Sesko’s numerous opportunities, Real Madrid’s defense held firm against Leipzig’s attacks, aided by both wasteful finishing from the opposition and crucial interventions from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. As a result, Real Madrid departed with a narrow lead.
However, in the subsequent three weeks, Real Madrid’s form has been less consistent in La Liga, with only one victory in their last three matches. This includes a draw against Rayo Vallecano and a narrow win over Sevilla, marred by refereeing controversies in the recent encounter with Valencia. In that match, despite a comeback from 2-0 down to salvage a point, a last-minute goal was disallowed due to a whistle blown by the referee, inciting protests from the Real Madrid players, resulting in a red card for Bellingham.
Despite still leading the La Liga standings by seven points, Real Madrid now aim to avoid a rare exit from the Champions League, reminiscent of their previous elimination against Ajax in the 2018-19 season. RB Leipzig, drawing inspiration from Ajax’s comeback, seeks to overturn the deficit from the first leg to continue their Champions League campaign.
RB Leipzig, managed by Marco Rose, demonstrated promise in their previous encounter against Real Madrid but lacked the clinical finishing needed to secure a favorable result. However, they showcased their attacking prowess in a recent Bundesliga fixture against VfL Bochum, securing a convincing 4-1 victory. Nonetheless, their inconsistency in form during the winter period has left them trailing in the Bundesliga standings and without a win in their last six Champions League knockout matches.
As they prepare for the crucial second leg at the Bernabeu, RB Leipzig faces the prospect of a third last-16 exit in four seasons, based on their previous encounters and recent form. Their previous visit to Real Madrid’s home ground resulted in a 2-0 defeat, highlighting the challenge they face in overcoming the Spanish giants on their own turf.
Team News
Bellingham faces domestic repercussions following his sending-off against Valencia, although Ancelotti contends that the Englishman’s use of the F-word did not constitute an insult towards Manzano. Consequently, Bellingham is eligible to participate in the forthcoming match against Leipzig, albeit with the risk of receiving a Champions League ban due to his proximity to accumulating another booking.
Similarly, Eduardo Camavinga faces a similar predicament but remains a guaranteed starter regardless. Ancelotti’s concerns for the second leg are limited to the injuries sustained by David Alaba, Thibaut Courtois, and Eder Militao, all of whom are recovering from ACL injuries, with the latter two expected to return to action next month.
Following the circulation of a video on social media depicting alleged racist behavior from a child towards Vinicius during Real’s match against Valencia, La Liga authorities have initiated an investigation. This incident, occurring less than a year after similar reprehensible events at Mestalla, underscores the persistent challenge of combating racism in football.
Meanwhile, RB Leipzig’s head coach Rose faces the necessity of altering his lineup due to suspension. French defender Mohamed Simakan’s accumulation of three bookings in the tournament mandates his absence from the upcoming match in the Spanish capital.
With Lukas Klostermann still recovering from a hip injury, Castello Lukeba and Willi Orban are expected to maintain their positions in Leipzig’s defensive lineup, bolstering the team’s resilience in front of Gulacsi, recently recovered from an abdominal strain. Additionally, Xaver Schlager’s return from a Bundesliga suspension is anticipated, positioning the Austrian to reclaim his midfield role over compatriot Nicolas Seiwald.
Furthermore, Openda’s impressive form, evidenced by his 17th Bundesliga goal of the season as a substitute against Bochum, suggests his readiness to replace Christoph Baumgartner and partner Sesko in Leipzig’s attacking lineup. Despite Sesko’s missed opportunities in the first-leg loss to Ancelotti’s team, Openda’s goal-scoring prowess presents a compelling offensive option for RB Leipzig.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Henrichs, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Olmo, Haidara, Schlager, Simons; Openda, Sesko