An out-of-form RB Leipzig take on Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.
Marco Rose’s hosts finished a respectable second behind Manchester City in the group stage of the competition, only dropping points against the English behemoths, but have endured an underwhelming start to the new year.
Lois Openda failed to convert a spot-kick in the final ten minutes of RB Leipzig’s 2-2 draw with mid-table Augsburg on Saturday, ensuring that Rose’s side have won just one of their last six games.
By stark contrast, Real Madrid produced what Carlo Ancelotti hailed as his team’s “best performance” of the season when thrashing Girona 4-0. That commanding victory opened up a five-point lead at La Liga’s summit for Madrid as their attention turns towards securing the club’s 15th European Cup.
Here’s everything you need to know about Tuesday’s knockout tie.
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 2, discovery+, discovery+ App |
United States | TUDN App, Univision NOW, ViX, Paramount+, TUDN.com, TUDN USA, UniMas |
Canada | DAZN |
Leipzig’s talismanic club captain Willi Orban is being gently eased back into the first team after missing four months with a knee ligament injury. The Hungarian centre-back will be crucial in Leipzig’s attempts to muzzle Madrid’s star-studded frontline.
Amadou Haidara won’t be going up against Vinicius Junior and company after damaging his knee while representing Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations.
RB Leipzig predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-2-2): Gulasci; Henrichs, Klostermann, Orban, Raum; Schlager, Kampl; Olmo, Simons; Sesko, Openda.
Ancelotti was not drifting into hyperbole when he claimed that his side “broke records” by having all four senior centre-backs injured for Saturday’s league meeting with Girona.
Mercifully for Ancelotti, Nacho Fernandez should be available against Leipzig but Antonio Rudiger will still be sidelined. Eder Militao and David Alaba are not expected to be back this season.
Most worryingly for Madrid, Jude Bellingham suffered a sprained ankle against Girona which could keep him out until March. Brahim Diaz has been in fine form but any player will have a tough time replacing Madrid’s serial record-breaker.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs RB Leipzig (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Diaz; Rodrygo, Vinicius.
When the draw was made in December, RB’s sporting director Rouven Schroder struck an optimistic tone. “We have already shown that we can hurt them,” he said. “And the great thing is, if you prepare well, you have a chance in every game.”
Leipzig did indeed earn a 3-2 victory over Madrid when the sides met at the Red Bull Arena in October 2022. However, all three of the hosts’ goalscorers that day – Josko Gvardiol, Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner – are no longer at the club.
Rose still has plenty of talent at his disposal – Xavi Simons is the most obvious threat – but Madrid’s well-oiled machine should get the better of Leipzig. As Schroder conceded: “Madrid are the favourites.”
