Champions League 2024-2025: Real Madrid-Salzburg, the likely lineups

Real Madrid-Salzburg, the probable formations

On Wednesday evening, the Santiago Bernabeu will be the scene of a decisive showdown between Real Madrid and Salzburg, with both teams in the hunt for a crucial goal for their European future. The Blancos want to close out playoff qualification talk with a win, while the Austrians are playing for a last chance to stay in the running. Ancelotti’s team arrives at the match with renewed confidence after their recent league victories, but they know better than to underestimate an opponent ready to play for everything who has nothing to lose.

Real Madrid has its sights firmly set on the Champions League top 8, but the situation in Europe remains complicated. The reigning champions have picked up only 9 points in 6 days, so they will have to get a crucial win against Salzburg and confirm the positive signs shown in the last few games. Ancelotti will line up Valverde as right-back because of Lucas Vazquez’s disqualification, on the left will be Mendy, while the two central defenders will be Rudiger and young Asencio. In midfield, chances for Modric and Ceballos given the absences of Camavinga and Tchouameni. At the center of the attack will be Mbappé.

Salzburg has hired Letsch as its new coach, who must try to turn things around, especially in the Champions League given the dramatic situation. The red and white have just 3 points and are coming off 2 consecutive defeats which, added to the previous ones, make it 5 in 6 matches. The new coach will field a defensive line formed by Morgalla, Baidoo, Piatkowski and Terzic, while the two-man attack will be entrusted to Gloukh and Ratkov.

Probable lineups

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Mendy; Modric, Ceballos, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vinicius Jr. Coach: Ancelotti.

Salzburg (4-4-2):Blaswich; Morgalla, Baidoo, Piatkowski, Terzic; Yeo, Capaldo, Bidstrup, Nene; Gloukh, Ratkov. Coach: Letsch.