Real Madrid have great pedigree in the UEFA Champions League but they are coming up against equally great opposition, Bayern Munich. The Bavarian’s awful Bundesliga campaign is widely documented as they missed out on the title already. This will only make them hungrier to win the Champions League so it is something for Real Madrid to be wary of.
That said, Carlo Ancelotti is close to securing Real Madrid’s La Liga title this season. However, as a manager who is always hungry for success, he will be eager to lift the double this season. After all, the Champions League is a competition which has served Los Blancos splendidly in the past.
Ancelotti will undoubtedly field a strong starting lineup. Admittedly, the team news is much kinder to Real Madrid than the home team heading into this first leg tie. However, Ancelotti is tipped to make some controversial calls in the midfield.
According to journalist Miguel Ángel Díaz (h/t GSFN), Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make two changes in the midfield. The first of those changes coming from Aurélien Tchouaméni being introduced to the starting lineup instead of Eduardo Camavinga. The second of which is Luka Modric being trusted over Toni Kroos.
It is always great to see Luka Modric involved in the starting lineup. After all, he is a club legend who has great experience in the Champions League. However, for Kroos to be dropped to the bench will obviously raise some eyebrows in the Real Madrid camp. Kroos has done little to justify being dropped and if anything, has been one of the best performers in the Champions League this season.
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Still, having Toni Kroos as an option to call upon from the bench is a great boost for Ancelotti, should he need to resort to a plan B. After all, Kroos knows Bayern Munich well, having spent time earlier in his career in the German capital.
Tchouaméni is an easier call to understand. The midfielder offers more midfield reassurance to Carlo Ancelotti and he can help out in a defensive capacity if that’s the way the game goes.
A draw in the away leg would suit Real Madrid but this is not the mentality the club has under Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian boss will seek a win upon his return to the Allianz Arena and nothing less. Tchouaméni is just a more defensively sound choice than others in the midfield.
What is your score prediction for Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid?