Leipzig-Real Madrid is a match valid for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League and is played Tuesday at 9 p.m.: TV, streaming, probable formations, predictions.
Real Madrid returns to the music of the Champions League-notoriously its natural habitat-a few days after a very heavy victory in La Liga. The bombastic success (4-0) in the direct clash with Girona (4-0), the only team that for now is managing to prevent the Blancos from escaping in the league, was an incredible show of strength, if we consider that Carlo Ancelotti and his men faced the match without several starters, especially in the backline.
In spite of the absences, Real Madrid ramped up against the surprise of the tournament and once again, it was Jude Bellingham, author of a brace, who took the lead. The English midfielder, bought in the summer from Borussia Dortmund, confirmed himself as a force of nature: the season’s goals became 20, numbers of a thoroughbred striker. He will undoubtedly weigh, then, his forfeit in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 with Leipzig, as a knee injury forced him out earlier than expected on Saturday: he will not travel with his teammates to Germany. The Merengues are hunting for their seventh consecutive success in the cup with big ears. Only victories in the group stage for a Real Madrid side that left only crumbs to Napoli, Braga and Union Berlin, scoring 16 total goals and conceding 7.
Ancelotti without Bellingham
The Roten Bullen are on notice. After facing the reigning European champions in the group, Manchester City, they will now face the other big favorite for the final victory
Marco Rose’s team, however, is not going through a well period: the Christmas break did not do Leipzig any good, defeated in the first three games of 2024 and slipped to fifth place, out of the top four. After breaking the negative streak thanks to a 3-2 success against Union Berlin last week, the red-and-whites had to settle for a draw at home to Augsburg (2-2) last weekend, finishing -3 behind Borussia Dortmund. There does not seem to be the preconditions, then, to trip Real Madrid, which lost 3-2 at the Red Bull Arena two seasons ago (but it was the group stage).
Rose will confirm the 4-2-2 with Sesko and Openda in attack supported by Olmo and Xavi Simons. The only absentee is Haidara, back from the African Cup of Nations. Ancelotti, on the other hand, must do without Alaba, Courtois, Militao, Rudiger and the aforementioned Bellingham. In the center of defense, alongside Nacho, Tchouaméni will be adapted.
The prediction
Bellingham’s absence and absences in defense will surely make this challenge more balanced. It cannot be ruled out that Leipzig will be able to give Real Madrid a hard time, who in any case will leave the Red Bull Arena with a positive result. There should be no shortage of goals.
Leipzig-Real Madrid likely lineups
LIPSIA (4-2-2): Gulácsi; Henrichs, Orbán, Klostermann, Raum; Seiwald, Schlager; Dani Olmo, Xavi Simons; Openda, Šeško.
REAL MADRID (4-4-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Tchouaméni, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga, Brahim Díaz; Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
