Match Previews

country flag Champions League Round Grp B (6)
Wed 09 December 2020 20:00
Referee
Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands)
Weather at KO
weather icon Mostly Cloudy  4oC | Precip: 0% (0 mm) | Wind 3.4 m/s
Travel Info
2 hours plane
Distance
1,430 KM
Venue
No Fans

Real Madrid

Last updated: Thu 10 December 2020 07:54
In Brief

Have had very mixed form in recent weeks. Missing the injured Fede Valverde, Eden Hazard, Martin Odegaard, Luka Jovic and Mariano.

Looking Back

Real Madrid's recent form has seen them win the matches where they're expected to struggle, like the recent Sevilla win, and lose the ones where they're expected to win, like the recent Alaves and Shakhtar Donetsk losses. It's peculiar.

Looking Ahead

Starting midfielder Fede Valverde is out injured and backup midfielder Martin Odegaard is out injured. Can be replaced by Luka Modric.

Starting winger Eden Hazard is out injured. Can be replaced by Vinicius.

Backup centre-forwards Mariano and Luka Jovic are out injured.

Starting right-back Dani Carvajal was an injury doubt, but has recovered.

Points of Interest

There is no real advantage for either side since they both had their most recent match on Saturday.

Manager Comments

Coach Zinedine Zidane insisted that he is solely thinking about this game and not the weekend's Madrid derby, suggesting there won't be any kinds of rotations.

Borussia Monchengladbach

Last updated: Thu 10 December 2020 07:54
In Brief

Crucial game on Wednesday in Europe. Drew at Freiburg in the league. Elvedi hopeful of a return. Thuram to start. Bensebaini and Jantschke out.

Looking Back

Suffered their first defeat in the Champions League last week (2-3) at home to Inter. Group now wide open with all 4 teams still able to qualify on the final matchday. Gladbach hold slight advantage as group leaders and need just a point to qualify.

Drew (2-2) in the league at Freiburg on Saturday. Not the best performance and gave too many chances away to the opposition.

Came close to defeating giants Real Madrid in the corresponding fixture back on matchday 2. Conceded two late goals to draw (2-2).

Looking Ahead

Coach Marco Rose is sweating on the fitness of key central defender Nico Elvedi who has missed the last 3 games through injury, he has made the trip to Madrid so the signs are positive. Back-up central defender Jantschke unfortunately hasn't recovered from knee trouble and will stay at home.

Left-back Bensebaini continues to build-up fitness after Covid-19 and isn't yet available. Wendt has filled in well during his absence but has now played 5 games in 14 days.

Rose has plenty of options going forward, Thuram was left on the bench against Freiburg but will no doubt start on Wednesday, while Plea and Embolo are both on form.

Midfielder Hofmann remains absent through injury, while Villalba and Musel are not part of the travelling squad.

Points of Interest

Striker Alassane Plea has 5 goals and 3 assists in 5 Champions League games so far.

Manager Comments

"We want to seize this opportunity and advance, we need a good, outstanding performance - and I trust my team to do that."

Doubtful (chance of availability)
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Rested
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Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
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Borussia Monchengladbach

Last updated: Thu 10 December 2020 07:54
In Brief

Crucial game on Wednesday in Europe. Drew at Freiburg in the league. Elvedi hopeful of a return. Thuram to start. Bensebaini and Jantschke out.

Looking Back

Suffered their first defeat in the Champions League last week (2-3) at home to Inter. Group now wide open with all 4 teams still able to qualify on the final matchday. Gladbach hold slight advantage as group leaders and need just a point to qualify.

Drew (2-2) in the league at Freiburg on Saturday. Not the best performance and gave too many chances away to the opposition.

Came close to defeating giants Real Madrid in the corresponding fixture back on matchday 2. Conceded two late goals to draw (2-2).

Looking Ahead

Coach Marco Rose is sweating on the fitness of key central defender Nico Elvedi who has missed the last 3 games through injury, he has made the trip to Madrid so the signs are positive. Back-up central defender Jantschke unfortunately hasn't recovered from knee trouble and will stay at home.

Left-back Bensebaini continues to build-up fitness after Covid-19 and isn't yet available. Wendt has filled in well during his absence but has now played 5 games in 14 days.

Rose has plenty of options going forward, Thuram was left on the bench against Freiburg but will no doubt start on Wednesday, while Plea and Embolo are both on form.

Midfielder Hofmann remains absent through injury, while Villalba and Musel are not part of the travelling squad.

Points of Interest

Striker Alassane Plea has 5 goals and 3 assists in 5 Champions League games so far.

Manager Comments

"We want to seize this opportunity and advance, we need a good, outstanding performance - and I trust my team to do that."

Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
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Key

Key players
Regular players
Support players
75% - Chance of availability
Artificial Pitch
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Squad Confirmed
Played in Cup fixture
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*Based on Available Players