It is easy to regard the Real Madrid-Liverpool UEFA Champions League tie as done and dusted, given how the Madristas are up 5-2 on aggregate from the first leg. Not to mention how Los Blancos have progressed through in 26 of their past 27 instances where they won the first leg of a UCL tie away from home.
That said, in the words of Lenny Kravitz, and actually Yogi Berra said it long before him: “it ain’t over till it’s over.” Manager Carlo Ancelotti’s main task this week is to ward off complacency.
Real Madrid vs Liverpool FYIs
Competition: UCL Round of 16, Leg 2/2, Real Madrid leads 5-2
Kickoff: Wed. March 15, 8pm, El Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Team News: Real Madrid Liverpool
Starting XI Predictions: Real Madrid Liverpool
Google Result Probability (90 Min): Real Madrid 42% Liverpool 25% Extra Time 33%
Real Madrid Team News
Left back Ferland Mendy returned to training having recovered from a thigh injury. He will likely be eased back into the rotation, instead of being thrown entirely into the fire. Striker supreme Karim Benzema missed the side’s last match, due to precautionary concerns about his ankle. He is also in full training with the rest of the group and is expected to start up top here.
Finally, David Alaba is recovering from a thigh injury but he will not play on Wednesday.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
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