Match Preview

Real Madrid face Borussia Mönchengladbach for the first time in a European competition for the first time in 35 years in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday.

The last match was in the 1985 UEFA Cup Round of 16, where Real came back from 5-1 down over the course of two legs. That Real side would eventually go on to win the entire tournament over FC Köln.

Real are currently second in La Liga after a huge 3-1 Clásico win over the weekend. Los Blancos will look to rebound in the Champions League after losing to Shakhtar last week. Shakhtar is the only team with a win so far in Group B after Mönchengladbach and Inter drew.

Mönchengladbach are sixth in the Bundesliga this season. They have not lost a match since their first match of the season against Borussia Dortmund. They are coming off a 3-2 weekend win over Mainz.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid picked up another injury to their temporary right back in Nacho while Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Odriozola both remain out. Eden Hazard is back in the squad after missing an extended period of time.

Gladbach will be without Andreas Poulsen, Jordan Beyer and Denis Zakaria.

There are no suspensions for either club in this Champions League matchup.

Potential XIs

Gladbach

Sommer; Lainer, Ginter, Elvedi, Bensebaini; Kramer, Neuhaus; Hofmann, Stindl, Thuram; Pléa

Real Madrid

Courtois; Vazquez, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Modrić, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Vinicius, Benzema

With Nacho now out there’s a good chance Lucas Vazquez starts at right back, though Eder Militão could slot in there as well.

Real did not have Ramos against Shakhtar last week but will against Gladbach. This should settle down the defense after it looked rather shaky the last time around.

Even with Hazard returning to the squad he will likely not start just yet. There’s a chance we see him off the bench in some fashion during the 90 minutes.

Prediction

Borussia Mönchengladbach—Real Madrid 1-2

This will be a tricky match for Real as they make the trip to Germany. They haven’t won in either of the matches they’ve played in Gladbach, though there’s only ever been two and they were both over 35 years ago.

Gladbach do not score a lot of goals themselves like Real has struggled to do this season so far. It will be a tough test for both sides as the Germans will give it their all at home.

Real need a win here as they were the only team to sustain a loss in the first match of this group stage last week. Though it is still quite early, they can’t afford another loss or to let the results start getting out of their hands.