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Highlights Video :
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Real Madrid host Borussia Dortmund in a match that will decide who wins Group F. Real have won their Champions League group every year since 2009.
However, due to the standings across the Champions League, one could argue Real might be content to finish second. Here’s who Madrid could draw if they finish...
First: Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Bayern Leverkusen. Sevilla and Porto are likely to finish second in their respective groups.
Second: Leicester City, Monaco, Napoli, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, and most likely Juventus.
Make of that what you will. Regardless of where Madrid finish, there’ll be reason to be nervous ahead of the next round’s draw.
Zidane isn’t of the mind that it might be best to finish second and hope to draw the likes of Leicester, Monaco, or Napoli. Yesterday Zidane said, “We are going to play it like a final, a group final. We’re playing at home and we want to have a great game tomorrow. We will not over think things, just play the game with intensity and try to finish first.” I’m with ya, ZiZou.
The big surprise for Madrid is the return of Toni Kroos, who recovered well ahead of his schedule. Also returning to the lineup will likely be Casemiro, who played at the weekend but is still returning to fitness.
Dortmund have some key injuries of their own. Mario Götze, Sven Bender, and Shinji Kagawa will miss the match, as will Nuri Sahin, who I once lauded as the world’s next Xabi Alonso back in 2011 (goes to show how much I know). Some names to watch on Dortmund are Marco Reus, Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang, and Sokratis Papastathopolous. Reus is a world-beater on the wing, capable of leathering the ball from outside the box, Aubamayang doesn’t often miss his chances, and Sokratis is the glue that holds their back line together.
I have my reservations about just how fit Toni Kroos is, but an out-of-form Toni Kroos is still imposing, and Real will have to finish their chances against an effervescent Dortmund team who can score in an instant.
After playing in the always-intimidating Westfalenstadion, one has to imagine the Bernabéu will be packed with Madridistas excited to return the favor to Dortmund.
Projected lineups:
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Marcelo, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Carvajal; Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modrić; Lucas Vázquez, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo
Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Marc Barta, Sokratis, Ginter; Schmelzer, Weigl, Castro, Piczcek; Reus, Aubamayang, Dembélé
Real Madrid hosted Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League game on Wednesday night at Santiago Bernabeu. Its a massive game where first place in the group was up for grabs for both these teams. Real Madrid needed a win to qualify as group winners and they started on a positive note after Karim Benzema had put them 1-0 in lead after he tapped home from close range off a superb Dani Carvajal cross. However Dortmund were always in the game a all they need was to equalize to retain their top spot in the group and they did just that when Reus scored late in second half to secure a point for Dortmund.
Real Madrid 2-1 Borussia Dortmund Highlights
[ UEFA Champions League 2016-17 Match ]
28′ 1 – 0 Karim Benzema tapped home from close range after Dani Carvajal put in a superb low cross. Madrid leads the group standings as the things stand.
53′ 2 – 0 Karim Benzema made it 2-0 just after the break and from than on it looked like a stroll in the park for Real Madrid.
61′ 2 – 1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brought Dortmund back into he game with a nicely taken goal.
89′ 2 – 2 Marco Reus
Real Madrid were held to a 2-2 draw by Las Palmas over the weekend and it created alot of headlines in the morning specially regarding Ronaldo’s substitution. Zidane took off his talisman when Real Madrid were leading 2-1 with 20 odd minutes to play and Ronaldo was sulking while walking off the pitch and in the dugout afterwards. To make matter worse Real Madrid ended up conceded late to drop points in second consecutive league game. Now the focus turn to their favourite European trophy where a win against Dortmund away will put them in commanding position as far as this group is concerned.
This is how I expect both teams to lineup on Tuesday night, 27th September. Real Madrid are sure to start with trio of Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale upfront while Casemiro’s absence means Mateo Kovacic to start alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
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