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Real Madrid Vs Copenhaguen, Champions League 2013-2014: Projected Lineups and Match Preview

Real Madrid face a must-win match against Copenhaguen. Gareth Bale will miss the game, and Carlo Ancelotti might be tempted to make some rotations, although the core of the team still needs to play comfortably.

Denis Doyle

Copenhaguen were able to get a 1-1 draw against Juventus. The Italian team should be fighting against Real Madrid to get the first place during this Group Stage, so Real Madrid will surely aim for the three points against a Copenhaguen team that is expected to be the group's weakest team.

Furthermore, Ancelotti and his men need to get a convincing win after the last two matches against Elche and Atlético Madrid. Real Madrid were really disappointing for those two games, and the crowd present at the Santiago Bernabéu during the last derby showed their discontent with the squad after Real Madrid couldn't break through Atlético's defensive wall.

Carlo Ancelotti will be able to start Marcelo after the Brazilian defender missed three weeks with an injury. Marcelo was a pivotal player for Ancelotti during the preseason, so the Italian coach should try to get him back to the squad soon. Still, giving how badly he needs a win to restore the confidence he needs, Ancelotti might prefer to start Fàbio Coentrao.

It would also be good to use these kind of games to help the players adapt to the new 4-4-2 system. That's why it would make sense to start Illarramendi, Isco and Modric. Isco could use some rest, but he has been a cornerstone for this new Real Madrid and his presence could be missed if he stays on the bench.

Gareth Bale will have to miss the game with his recurrent pain in his left thigh. the Welsh player is struggling with that injury and the coaching staff should not rush his recovery process. He is expected to undergo tests on that left thigh to confirm whether he will need to sit out more games or not.

Carlo Ancelotti didn't confirm Benzema's presence on the starting XI during Tuesday's press conference, but he did say that Benzema will surely play well if selected. Morata and Jesé are two good prospects but Real Madrid is a much better team with Benzema as a striker. That's why Ancelotti will likely keep trusting the French player to wake up.

Copenhaguen are a strong defensive side that will have the whole roster available to play against Real Madrid. As it has been stated above, the Danish team managed to get a morale-boosting 1-1 draw against Italian champions Juventus. Copenhaguen had just two shots on target but that was enough to overcome Juventus' 11 tries on Wiland.

It should be noted that Copenhaguen have only won 2 games out of 10. They are currently the second to last side in the Danish Superleague. That's why Real Madrid should be able to win Copenhaguen  quite  comfortably  at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Projected Lineups:

Real Madrid: Iker Casillas, Dani Carvajal, Raphäel Varane, Sergio Ramos, Coentrao, Illarramendi, Modric, Isco, Cristiano Ronaldo, Di María, Benzema

Copenhaguen: Wiland, Jacobsen, Mellberg, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Braaten, Delaney, Claudemir, Bolaños, Jorgesen, Adi

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