Real Madrid vs. Legia Warsaw: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Real Madrid play host to Polish champions Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, where manager Zinedine Zidane's side can extend their unbeaten run to 14 consecutive matches if they avoid defeat.
Los Blancos are joint-leaders of Group F alongside pool rivals Borussia Dortmund, but a win over Legia could be enough to pull the Spanish contenders clear at the summit.
Zidane will have to do so with a raft of injury concerns, but a confident 6-1 drubbing of Real Betis on Saturday was the ideal preparation for a squad that's been pegged back by absences of late.
Legia Warsaw are still seeking their first points of the European campaign, meanwhile, and a victory at the Santiago Bernabeu would be the perfect occasion in which to get their account up and running.
Read on for all the team news ahead of Tuesday's clash in Madrid, complete with match preview and all the essential viewing information.
| W Real Betis 1-6 Real Madrid | L Pogon Szczecin 3-2 Legia Warsaw |
| D Real Madrid 1-1 Eibar | W Legia Warsaw 3-0 Lechia Gdansk |
| D Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Real Madrid | L Sporting CP 2-0 Legia Warsaw |
| D Las Palmas 2-2 Real Madrid | D Wisla Krakow 0-0 Legia Warsaw |
| 1 | Real Madrid | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
| 2 | Borussia Dortmund | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 4 |
| 3 | Sporting CP | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 4 | Legia Warsaw | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | −8 | 0 |
Date: Tuesday, October 18
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST / 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Live Stream: BT Sport app (UK), beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)
TV Info: BT Sport Extra (UK), beIN Sports 1 (U.S.)
Team News
Injuries or not, Real ghosted their way to a 6-1 demolition of Real Betis on Saturday, where the missing figures of Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez, Fabio Coentrao and others didn't affect the results.
Yahoo's Andrew Gaffney added anchoring midfielder Casemiro to that list, although the return of left-back Marcelo—who scored in the thrashing of Betis—was a welcome addition to the teamsheet:
Without doing a disservice to Legia, the Poles will be considered the smallest opponent in Group F, and thus Zidane may not worry too much about pushing those sidelined stars back to fitness in time for Tuesday.
However, beIN Sports journalist Gabrielle Amado reported prior to the Betis clash that Rodriguez and Coentrao were back in training, meaning they could be in line for a return in midweek:
Zidane will have taken delight in seeing Marcelo contribute to the scoreline against Los Verdiblancos straight after his injury comeback, while Isco's brace in the same fixture showed his value to the team.
The former Malaga playmaker could be rewarded for his fine outing with another start against Legia, and Spanish newspaper AS highlighted the scoring depth Real boast this season:
Speaking to the media after Saturday's victory, Isco stressed the importance of Zidane's influence on him personally and the confidence he imbues upon him:
"We needed a game like that. I needed a little confidence and that's what I gained. I have lacked minutes and I still hope to slowly pick up more.
I lack confidence in myself, but the coach has given me confidence from the outset.
When things do not go as you'd hoped you have to work harder than before, work every day and seize opportunities.
"
It's possible the same midfield three of Toni Kroos, Isco and Mateo Kovacic could start on Tuesday, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale also fit to play up top should Zidane deem it necessary.
Prior to Legia's 3-2 loss to Pogon Szczecin on Friday, the club's official website noted manager Jacek Magiera would have his strongest squad available, although the possible return of Michal Pazdan could be a welcome boost.
Predicted Real Madrid Lineup (4-3-3): Keylor Navas; Danilo, Raphael Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Mateo Kovacic, Isco; Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Alvaro Morata
Predicted Legia Warsaw Lineup (4-4-2): Arkadiusz Malarz; Bartosz Bereszynski, Jakub Rzezniczak, Jakub Czerwinski, Adam Hlousek; Guilherme, Tomasz Jodlowiec, Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe, Michal Kucharczyk; Miroslav Radovic, Nemanja Nikolic
Preview
Although Real's 13-match unbeaten run may be impressive, it's worth pointing out the team endured four draws in succession prior to Saturday's six-goal demolition of Gus Poyet's Betis.
Germany international Kroos recently put pen to paper on a new contract extension before playing a major role in Saturday's triumph, and the playmaker could have another key role in Tuesday's hunt for three points:
Legia, meanwhile, have won just once in their last seven outings and lost 2-0 against Sporting CP in their most recent European outing, and they are yet to even score a goal in this season's Champions League.
Nevertheless, the Polish outfit have maintained high spirits in light of their most recent defeat on Friday, sending a statement of intent in Real's direction, via their official Twitter account:
Striker Nemanja Nikolic is the man Real fans will want to watch out for, though, after he scored five goals in six Champions League qualifiers this season, bringing his total to 10 in 20 matches for the season so far.
The BBC trio of Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo may feature in its entirety against Legia, but fitness troubles could afford Alvaro Morata or Lucas Vazquez a rare start.
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