Real Madrid – Union Berlin
Champions League Group Stage Round 1
Madrid, September 20, 18:45 CET
Club with the most trophies won in the Champions League, the famous Real Madrid, deserves to enter the first match in the European elite this season with a lot of confidence, on Wednesday against the debutants Union Berlin.
In the domestic Spanish La Liga, the Real team managed to achieve all five victories since the start of the season. The squad of the famous coach Carlo Ancelotti shows that they are tactically and technically ready to fight for the title in the domestic championship. A high ranking in the Champions League is an obligation for "Los Blancos". They were particularly impressive last weekend, when they won against the excellent Real Sosiedad 2:1 in Madrid. At the beginning of the season, an important victory was achieved away from home, at Athletic Bilbao (2:0) in August.
First of all, Real Madrid shows that even after the departure of the legendary French forward Benzema this summer, the team has no problems in attack. It turns out that the injury of the team's biggest young star, the Brazilian Vinicius, is not a problem either. Coach Ancelotti managed to adapt with a typically Italian formation of 4-3-1-2. Behind the combative forwards Joselu and Rodrygo, young English star Bellingham will play, who is increasingly emerging as a leader for the future of Real Madrid. The quality of the exceptional athletes Camavinga and Tchouameni, and the experience of the Croatian superstar Modric, guarantee top-notch play in the midfield.
On the other hand, it is expected that Union Berlin will not play defensively in the first match in the club's history in the Champions League. The German club will start in a proactive 3-5-2 formation, and forwards Fofana and Behrens are excellent in pressing, ahead of Juranovic, Kral, Aaronson, Gosens and Laidouni in the midfield. When the rivals are set up like this, you can expect two goals in the first half - and certainly three or more in total at the end of the match.
The problem for the visitors is the absence of players like Khedira, Dehl and Schafer due to injuries. Fofana, who plays for the club from Berlin on loan from Chelsea, will be a particularly dangerous option in the visiting team. It is also expected that the legendary Italian defender Bonucci will be on the bench for the guests in Madrid.
The football public in both Spain and Germany is expecting a spectacular match. These are clubs that are completely different in concept, with different game philosophies and complete functioning - but which will look for a chance to win and will not defend themselves in this duel. Of course, Real is the favorite and is facing the pressure of expectations, but a series of excellent results in the domestic league has made the atmosphere in Ancelotti's team exceptional.
The young players of Real Madrid are taking responsibility more often and better - so it is expected that the French talent Camavinga will replace the German star and veteran Kroos in the starting line-up. Kroos can be an exceptional option for Los Blancos in the second half.
In the last 11 matches played by Union Berlin, teams scored less than three goals only once. It is expected, that the series of duels with a large number of goals will continue on Wednesday.