Few changes as Real Madrid head to Dortmund
Jose Mourinho looks likely to keep faith with the makeshift defence that served his Real Madrid side effectively at the weekend as his side plays a vital match in their Champions League group stage against Borussia Dortmund Wednesday.
The trip to play Dortmund will define the next few weeks for Jose Mourinho's side. A win in Germany would just about ensure a comfortable qualification for the last 16 in Europe, while a defeat would mean a nervous few weeks with the return leg against Borussia and a trip to play Manchester City, which would take on extra importance, reports Xinhua.
Madrid travel to Germany without their three specialist full-backs and Marcelo, Fabio Coentrao and Alvaro Arbeloa will all be sidelined for a while yet with their respective injuries.
Mourinho used Michael Essien to cover at left back at the weekend and was rewarded with a competent display against a Celta Vigo side that posed few problems to Real Madrid.
Sergio Ramos returned to his former role at right back with Pepe and Rafael Varene in central defence and with few other options available to him in the first team squad, except, Raul Albiol, Mourinho is unlikely to make changes, especially as he has shown a continued reluctance to call on anyone from the club's successful B-team.
The rest of the Real Madrid side should be relatively simple for Mourinho to decide on as well: Sami Khedira has recovered from his muscle problem and will return to his homeland alongside Xabi Alonso in central midfield.
Meanwhile Kaka will drop back to the subs bench, with the only question whether Mesut Ozil or Luka Modric will play in the attacking midfield role. Mourinho is likely to give the nod to Ozil with Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel de Maria, who was rested at the weekend playing on the flanks.
Madrid have two wins from two matches going into the game and with a difficult season ahead and a tough draw in the Spanish Copa del Rey coming up, they will be looking to seal their place in the last 16 of the Champions League as soon as possible to then be able to rest key players.
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