Real Madrid, the reigning La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners are struggling so far, having suffered a dreadful 4-0 defeat to Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu. Although they scripted an incredible comeback against Borussia Dortmund, last month’s setback against LOSC Lille exhibits their inconsistency in Europe. Los Blancos must shake off the shambles of the Catalan clash and uplift their game on Tuesday night against AC Milan.
Meanwhile, the Serie A hotshots are not having the best of runs. They defeated Club Brugge but lost against Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen. Paulo Fonseca’s men are outside the knockout play-offs and have five more games in the League phase to turn the tables starting from the Bernabeu encounter.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois will continue to be sidelined with a muscle strain. Andriy Lunin, his understudy between the sticks, must aim for redemption after conceding four goals against Barcelona in the previous outing.
An anterior cruciate ligament injury has ruled Dani Carvajal out for the entire season. Veteran Lucas Vazquez has stepped in as a makeshift right fullback, and the absence of David Alaba should see Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger pair up in the heart of the backline. Ferland Mendy is expected to get the nod over Fran Garcia for the left-back spot.
Midfield
Despite trying various combinations, Carlo Ancelotti has yet to figure out the reason behind the ongoing crisis in the middle of the park. He might opt for Luka Modric who is still going strong at 39. The iconic Croatian could be lined up alongside Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga who would primarily operate as the chief ball carriers. However, their box-to-box movements would depend on Modric’s technicality from the central slot. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Dani Ceballos are capable of making an impact as ‘super subs’.
Attack
Rodrygo’s injury leaves the Blancos with Kylian Mbappe and Vinícius Júnior who form a lethal pair high up the pitch. They are still working on building chemistry in the attacking third, also, the young Selecao prodigy Endrick should be engaged at some point in the second half.
