Reigning European champions Real Madrid will look to repeat the success of last season’s final when they travel to face Liverpool in the first leg of their last 16 tie on Tuesday.
Los Blancos picked up a hard-fought 1-0 win in Paris’ showpiece last season and will fancy their chances of picking up a similar result as they head into this one on a run of four straight victories.
Here’s how Carlo Ancelotti could set up.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – Courtois was the hero of last season’s final and he’ll be ready for a similar role here.
RB: Dani Carvajal – Ancelotti has already confirmed that Carvajal will play against Liverpool. Easy work.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Amid rumours of a return to the Premier League, Rudiger will love the chance to remind fans of English football what he can do.
CB: Eder Militao – After a stop-start group stage, Militao will be desperate for a uninterrupted run in this competition.
LB: David Alaba – Injury concerns will force Alaba to return to left-back as Ancelotti’s only real option for this position.
DM: Eduardo Camavinga – Camavinga had been a makeshift left-back but Aurelien Tchouameni’s illness will see him return to his native midfield role.
CM: Dani Ceballos – If you told Real fans a few months ago that Ceballs would be starting this game, they’d be terrifed. Now, they’ll be celebrating, such has been the Spaniard’s resurgence.
CM: Luka Modric – Toni Kroos is also unwell so it’s down to Modric to provide the experience in midfield.
RW: Federico Valverde – Valverde got the assist for the winning goal last time these two sides met.
ST: Karim Benzema – Ancelotti rested Benzema against Osasuna with a view to protecting him for this game. A smart call.
LW: Vinicius Junior – It was Vinicius who converted from Valverde’s pass in Paris, and the Brazilian comes into this one as full of confidence as ever.
Credit: 90min.com
