Real Madrid travel to Germany for the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie against RB Leipzig on Tuesday evening.
In terms of historical pedigree, there is no comparison between Madrid and Leipzig. When a certain energy drink company founded the modern iteration of RB – which stands for Rasenballsport (lawn sports) of course – in 2009, Madrid had already won Europe’s ultimate prize nine times.
Madrid have claimed a further five Champions League trophies in Leipzig’s lifetime are gunning for a sixth. Here’s the lineup that Carlo Ancelotti may deploy to help the club extend its continental hegemony.
GK: Andriy Lunin – After a relay sequence with Kepa Arrizabalaga at the turn of the year, Lunin has started Madrid’s last four matches on the spin.
RB: Dani Carvajal – When asked whether he fancied the left or right centre-back position against Girona, Carvajal didn’t have a preference. With Nacho available again, he should take up his favoured role at full-back.
CB: Aurelien Tchouameni – A player who puts great faith in the power of motivation, Tchouameni works out in a home gym with his own inspirational quotes on the wall.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – Madrid didn’t really miss Nacho’s presence in Saturday’s thrashing of Girona but the club’s only fit senior centre-back will surely start in midweek.
LB: Ferland Mendy – Hailed by Ancelotti as the best defensive left-back in the world, Mendy may need to call upon his skillset this Tuesday.
CM: Federico Valverde – It was Valverde’s blistering drive that set up Madrid’s 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig when the clubs met in September 2022.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – Originally, the Frenchman wanted to follow his brother’s example and practice judo. “I liked to fight a bit too,” he admitted but his mum refused. “She wanted me to play football,” Camavinga remembered. “What do you call it? Destiny?” Something like that.
CM: Toni Kroos – In an industry where boot manufacturers insist players change their footwear to match the latest model, Kroos has been rocking the same Adidas Adipure 11pro since 2013.
AM: Brahim Diaz – With Jude Bellingham sidelined by injury until March, Diaz may be afforded a run in the starting XI.
ST: Rodrygo Goes – The Brazilian has been in good form since the turn of the year but really comes alive in European competition. Rodrygo averages a goal every 137 Champions League minutes compared to one every 317 in La Liga.
ST: Vinicius Junior – Cold and clinical during the game but consoling beyond the heat of battle, Vinicius reduced Girona’s Yan Couto to tears on Saturday yet was the first to check in on the full-back once the match was over.
