Match Preview

Champions League football returns to the Bernabéu Tuesday night when Real Madrid take on Czech side Viktoria Plzen. Real Madrid are coming off another disappointing LaLiga result, a 2-1 loss in Madrid to Levante. Viktoria are coming off a 2-2 draw with Bohemians Praha in the Czech First League.

Real Madrid lost their last Champions League bout as well, a shocking 1-0 loss in Moscow to CKSA on October 2.

They have to do better, bottom line. When you lose matches where you are heavily favored to win, there’s really no excuse to lose. They have to take care of business at home and get the points needed to eventually advance from the group stage.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid will still be without Dani Carvajal. Not injured, but left off Tuesday’s roster is Dani Ceballos.

Viktoria are without midfielder Jan Kopic due to ankle injury.

There are no suspensions for this match.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Navas; Odriozola, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Isco, Benzema

Given that Navas has been Real Madrid’s Champions League starter in net, he’ll likely get the start against Viktoria.

Lopetegui rested several players against Levante on Saturday, including Bale, Kroos and Benzema. These three will most likely start again for Real Madrid.

The only real question will be if Isco or Asensio starts. Isco started against Levante in Kroos’ place. He may get another start in place of Asensio or Lopetegui could use him as a good substitute. Mariano likely will substitute on for Benzema at some point.

Viktoria Plzen

Hruska; Limbersky, Hubik, Hejda, Reznik; Prochazka, Hrosovsky; Kovarik, Horava, Zeman; Krmencik

Prediction

Real Madrid-Viktoria Plzen 3-0

Let’s be honest here, Real Madrid shouldn’t have a problem with Viktoria on Tuesday. As we’ve learned this past month or so though, Real have been surprising everyone for all the wrong reasons.

Being in Madrid, they can’t lose against another club again that they should be more than capable of defeating otherwise.

If Real really do find a way to lose this match, I can’t even begin to fathom what the outcry would be. Lopetegui is already in rumors to be sacked, I would think a loss would guarantee that becoming a reality.

Here’s hoping they can finally turn things around, even if it ends up being a win that they should be expected to win.