Real Madrid go into the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 game against RB Leipzig with a slender one-goal advantage, and that’s perhaps why manager, Carlo Ancelotti, hasn’t taken any chances in terms of the starting XI he’s picked for the game.
Jude Bellingham is banned for two La Liga matches after being sent off after the final whistle against Valencia, so Wednesday night’s action will be his last until Los Blancos host an in-form Athletic Club de Bilbao side on March 31.
To that end, the England international will have a point to prove to the thousands inside the stadium as well as the expected millions watching on television.
Vini Jr. will play off the left side as usual, and with Ancelotti looking to have picked a 4-1-3-2 system, the pair will be backed up by a solid midfield three of Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Carlo Ancelotti has chosen a strong Real Madrid XI
Toni Kroos will sit in front of a defensive line of Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho and Ferland Mendy.
In goal, Andriy Lunin keeps Kepa on the bench, and the Chelsea loanee is joined there by Luka Modric and Rodrygo amongst others.
?? Our starting ??!
? @RBLeipzig_EN#UCL pic.twitter.com/KNt0wumbQc— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) March 6, 2024
Leipzig have nothing to lose in the tie, and an incessant need to attack could ensure that the high line that Real like to play has to be cast aside for this match or else they run the risk of being caught on the counter.