Gareth Bale will not be available for selection for Real, but that would hardly bother the more decorated of the Madrid rivals on Wednesday.
The sheer depth at Zinedine Zidane’s disposal means the Welshman can, indeed, take a rest and Atletico Madrid will still be beaten they host Los Blancos in the second-leg of their Champions League semi-final.
After a stupendous Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick at the Bernabeu, Diego Simeone’s men will try and secure the greatest Champions League semifinal comeback of all time at the Vincente Calderon.
[caption id="attachment_724" align="alignnone" width="594"] Real Madrid's French coach Zinedine Zidane (R) gestures beside Atletico Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone[/caption]
But it’s going to be incredibly hard. In any case, Zidane is never one to throw caution to the wind and is expected to field a strong lineup.
It’s important to put the scale of the task in perspective. Atleti will need three goals just to force extra time, and in the kind of mood Real are in, they won’t concede three without netting some of their own. Especially when Cristiano Ronaldo is in such a goal-hungry mood – he has scored more Champions League goals in the knockout stage (52) than in the group stage (51), during his career.
[caption id="attachment_725" align="alignnone" width="594"] Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg[/caption]
Fact is, Simeone’s side is not as intense and concentrated as they used to be. It’s not clear why, but they are not as ruthless. The counter attacking instinct remains, but Antoine Griezmann, in particular, will need to be in some monstrous form for this comeback to happen.
Team news
Real Madrid will remain without Welsh winger Gareth Bale. First choice right-back Dani Carvajal is out with a hamstring injury which could see him out for the rest of the season. Experienced central defender Pepe is doubtful for the match. Isco is predicted to start and benefit from Bale’s absence. Either Danilo or Nacho will take Carvajal’s place in the starting line-up.
[caption id="attachment_726" align="alignnone" width="594"] Juanfran of Atletico de Madrid[/caption]
As at Sunday, Atletico were without any of their right-backs. But that’s changed as news emerges that Juanfran has recovered from his injury and appears to be fit. He hasn't played in a while, but Simeone may have to field the former Real Madrid academy graduate.
Quotes
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane: “An easy game? As always, you have to prove it. We started well, scoring quickly, and that made things easier. We had a phenomenal first half, we took the chances we had. We picked up another three points, and that was important. Now we have three finals left and another in the Champions League on Wednesday.”
[caption id="attachment_727" align="alignnone" width="594"] Atletico Madrid's coach Diego Simeone (L) shakes hands with Real Madrid's coach Zinedine Zidane before the UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg[/caption]
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone: “We have an important match on Wednesday. It is impossible for some, but not for us. I told [my players] that it will be very difficult as we're up against the best team in the world and one which scores in every match, but that it is possible. I'm convinced that if I didn't believe so then I wouldn't say so.”