Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig

High-flying Real Madrid entertain struggling Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in a handsomely-looking Champions League showdown.

Real Madrid’s bid to defend the Champions League crown and take home a record-extending 15th title has been off to a flying start as Carlo Ancelotti’s side thrashed Celtic 3-0 in their Group F curtain-raiser. Despite losing star striker Karim Benzema to injury, ‘Los Merengues’ came from a goal down to dismantle fellow La Liga rivals Mallorca 4-1 at the weekend and maintain their 100% start to the new competitive season (W7). All signs are pointing to another Madrid triumph, with the reigning La Liga holders going unbeaten in their last 11 European fixtures against German opponents (W7, D4) while netting 2+ goals on each occasion. Thursday’s clash could be a career-defining achievement for Ancelotti, who could become the second manager ever to win 100 Champions League matches. Motivation should not be lacking, therefore!

On the other hand, RB Leipzig suffered an embarrassing 4-1 home defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday one and in turn sacked Domenico Tedesco. Led by newly-appointed manager Marco Rose, ‘Die Roten Bullen’ picked fierce Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund apart in a morale-boosting 3-0 home win at the weekend. But facing Madrid will be a different type of challenge, even though the German heavyweights are unbeaten in their last three European meetings with Spanish adversaries (W2, D1). Connoisseurs of action-packed football must be looking forward to this fixture, knowing none of Leipzig’s 31 Champions League matches have ended goalless. With three of the visitors’ four competitive away games this season featuring over 2.5 goals, that’s likely to stay that way.