How Real Madrid could line-up against Gladbach

9:44am on Tuesday 8th December 2020
By Martin Macdonald

Real Madrid will be able to call upon talismanic captan Sergio Ramos for their Champions League match against Gladbach on Wednesday.

The Spaniard has been missing for around a month, but has recovered in time to play against the Bundesliga side in what is a huge game for both clubs.

At the moment, Gladbach lead Group B with eight points taken from five matches, with Madrid and Shakhtar on seven points and Inter on five.

When Los Blancos welcome Gladbach to the Spanish capital, it really will be winner takes all.

With Ramos back fit, that will likely mean Nacho dropping to the bench, with Raphael Varane partnering the Madrid captain in the centre of defence.

Dani Carvajal could make his return, but might not be fit enough to start, which could mean Alvaro Odriozola slotting in at right-back.

Ferland Mendy will start at left-back.

Fede Valverde will likely not return to fitness in team, which should mean a starting midfield of Luka Modric, Casemiro, and Toni Kroos.

Eden Hazard, too, is injured again, which narrows Zidane's options in the final third.

Expect Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio to be the players selected to support Karim Benzema in attack.

The last time Real Madrid faced Gladbach they were forced to mount a miraculous comeback in the last five minutes of the game, scoring two goals in the during minutes via Benzema and Casemiro to draw 2-2, having trailed 2-0 for the majority of proceedings.