RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid preview: Team news and predicted lineups
Looking to stave off a battle in their group from Shakhtar Donetsk to advance to the knockout round, RB Leipzig face the current CL champions at home on Tuesday night.
Leipzig roared back to salvage a point against Augsburg over the weekend, but have improved in the last several weeks. The 8th-place Bundesliga side are unbeaten in their last seven competitive matches and haven’t lost in the month of October.
They hold a narrow one point advantage in Group F over 3rd-place Shakhtar Donetsk, who lead in goal difference. Even with a draw, Real Madrid could close out the group on Matchday 5.
In his press conference, manager Marco Rose emphatically stated, "I think we're taking on what is probably the best squad in the world.”
Willi Orban added, "Every Champions League game is special. When it's a home game against Real Madrid - the defending champions, a brilliant team and one of the biggest names in Europe, of course there's a lot of excitement."
Christopher Nkunku is expected to start for the Red Bull club after dealing with a wrist injury, while teammates Dani Olmo and Timo Werner aren’t fit enough to play a full 90 minutes. Captain Peter Gulacsi, Marcel Halstenberg, Lukas Klostermann and Konrad Laimer aren’t available.
On the other hand, Madrid are incredibly undefeated in all competitions to start the season and have drawn only twice. Carlo Ancelotti's side notably traveled to Germany without Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Luka Modric.
Take a look at our predicted lineups here.