Real Madrid vs. Basel: Key Issues That Will Shape the Champions League Game

On the back of two consecutive defeats in domestic competition, Real Madrid begin the defence of their Champions League crown at home to Swiss champions Basel on Tuesday.

The two sides have been drawn in Group B, alongside Liverpool and the Bulgarian champions Ludogorets. Per Oddschecker, Madrid are the bookies’ favourite to win the group, followed by Liverpool, then Basel.

Madrid need to produce a strong performance on home soil to placate supporters angered by their 2-1 defeat to neighbours Atletico Madrid on Saturday, a result that came on the back of a 4-2 capitulation away to Real Sociedad.

Basel will not, however, be easy opponents. They have won the Swiss Super League in each of the last five seasons and have defeated the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Roma in recent Champions League campaigns.

Here are the key issues that will shape the Champions League game between Real Madrid and Basel.

How Successfully Real Madrid Can Defend Set Pieces

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Madrid gave up an early lead to Atletico in Saturday’s derby when Tiago headed in unmarked from Koke’s near-post delivery. It was a goal that provided further evidence of Madrid’s struggles defending set pieces following the two goals they conceded from dead-ball situations in the defeat to Real Sociedad.

“We’ve conceded too many goals that way,” Pepe admitted in the wake of the defeat to Atletico, as per Marca. “We’re not focusing enough to stop those kinds of balls.”

The performance of goalkeeper Iker Casillas has come under heavy scrutiny in recent weeks, and he was on the receiving end of whistles from the Bernabeu crowd during Saturday’s match.

While he was not directly at fault for the goal—“When you lose a goal at the near post, the last one responsible is the keeper,” Carlo Ancelotti said afterwards, as per AS—his style of goalkeeping does put additional pressure on the defence.

Casillas is rarely proactive in coming off his line and dealing with high deliveries into the area and struggles to work his way through traffic in a crowded penalty box. Opposing teams can block him in and provide their biggest aerial threats with a relatively clear route to goal.

Basel have scored just once from a set piece so far this season, but in the likes of 6'5" Marco Streller (196 cm), 6'1" Fabian Schar (186 cm) and 6'1" Philipp Degen (185 cm), they have a number of players of sufficient height to cause Madrid problems on Tuesday.

Marco Streller vs. Pepe and Sergio Ramos

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Basel’s Streller has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, scoring four goals in six starts, as per Soccerway.

The 33-year-old striker will provide a big test for Madrid centre-backs Pepe and Sergio Ramos, who have struggled against players of a similar profile—Mario Mandzukic and Mike Havenaar—in the early weeks of the season.

Streller’s height makes him a formidable threat from crosses into the area, but he is also adept at timing runs in behind opposition defences, having scored twice from through balls (data collected by author) so far this season.

Of more concern to Madrid is likely to be his ability to act as central reference point, off of whom Basel can spring runners in behind.

Basel have a number of rapid forwards capable of profiting from well-timed runs onto Streller’s flick-ons. Derlis Gonzalez scored against Young Boys in this manner, while Streller also assisted good opportunities for Yoichiro Kakitani against Thun and Shkelzen Gashi against Sion.

While Pepe and Ramos will seek to disrupt Streller, Madrid’s full-backs will have to be bright and alert to inward off-ball runs from wide areas. Ancelotti may also consider asking his central striker to mark Basel centre-back Schar, who is often the source of accurate long balls forward.

How Clinical Real Madrid Are in Front of Goal

Jose Ignacio Unanue/Associated Press

The defeat to Atletico was obviously deeply disappointing for Madrid and their supporters, but the result could well have been different if they had taken better advantage of the excellent opportunities they created during the first half.

Madrid’s sharp and swift counter-attacks saw them carve open the Atletico defence with surprisingly regularity. Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema all had efforts off target from in and around the penalty area, while Benzema and Gareth Bale both brought excellent saves from Miguel Angel Moya.

Benzema wasted perhaps the half’s best chance when his poor first touch allowed Moya to rush out and claim after Ronaldo had put him through.

The French international is not enjoying the best time in front of goal. Per Manu Sainz of AS, Benzema has scored just twice in his last 18 matches for Madrid. Like Casillas, he was on the receiving end of whistles from pockets of the crowd during the defeat to Atletico.

The whistles were loudest when he was substituted for Javier Hernandez just past the hour mark. Ancelotti has previously stated that he is happy with Benzema’s overall contribution to the team, regardless of whether or not he scores. Yet with Hernandez now offering a secondary option, it will be interesting to see how long his faith in Benzema holds.

One thing is for certain: Madrid cannot afford to be as wasteful in front of goal on Tuesday if they hope to begin their Champions League defence with a home victory.