Real Madrid will open their UEFA Champions League Group C account on Wednesday when they entertain Bundesliga side Union Berlin at the Santiago Bernabeu. The clash will kick off at 16:45 GMT.
Key Highlights
Jude Bellingham Leading Real Madrid into a New Era
The England international has had a flying start to life as a Real Madrid player and in La Liga. He has scored five times and had one assist in four appearances. Bellingham has averaged 1.28 goals per 90 minutes, which is better than Lewandowski of Barcelona at this stage of the season.
Bellingham has a 63% goal conversion rate and a shot accuracy of 88%. These numbers show that he has been a leading influence on this Real Madrid team that have had a flying start to their season with four wins out of the opening four matches heading into the international break.
On Wednesday, Carlo Ancelotti and his men will look for a winning start to their Champions League campaign. They will look to start fast and dominate the ball.
Ancelotti will hope that Bellingham will continue with his fine form as he looks to help his team make the best possible start to their Champions League campaign, alongside their pursuit of La Liga.
Union Berlin Running into a Difficult Patch After a Promising Start to the Season
Union Berlin started their Bundesliga season with two impressive wins. Matchday one saw them beat Mainz at home, winning 4-1 in a match they controlled. A Kevin Behrens hat trick set them on their way, giving them a dominant victory.
Bet hereMatchday two away to Darmstadt saw Union Berlin repeat the trick and win 1-4 to make it two consecutive wins at the start of their Bundesliga campaign. In this match, Urs Fischer’s side had four different scorers, highlighting their dynamism in the final third and the potent danger they can pose in their attacking phase.
However, their last two matches have both been losses, as Urs Fischer’s side hit a rough patch early on in their Bundesliga season. First, they lost 0-3 at home to RB Leipzig in a game that saw Kevin Volland sent off in the 64th minute.
Union Berlin made it two consecutive losses in the Bundesliga when they lost 2-1 away to Wolfsburg. The hosts took the lead in the 12th minute before Union equalized in the 28th minute via a Robin Gosens strike. But Wolfsburg re-took the lead immediately, in the 30th minute, which was enough to win the match.
Union Berlin visit Real Madrid after losing two straight matches. Urs Fischer will look to get his charges to regroup ahead of the daunting task of taking on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Injury Report
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti will have to contend without the services of long-term absentee Thibaut Courtois with a ruptured cruciate ligament. Los Blancos will also be without Eder Militao (cruciate ligament rupture), attacking midfielder Arda Guler (meniscus damage), and left winger Vinicius Junior (biceps femoris).
Union Berlin
Union Berlin will be without central midfielder Andras Schafer (foot), Rani Khedira (calf), Laurenz Dehl (unknown injury), and Sheraldo Becker (torn muscle).
Possible Lineups
Real Madrid
K. Arrizabalaga; D. Carvajal, A. Rudiger, D. Alaba, F. Garcia; L. Modric, A. Tchouameni, E. Camavinga; J. Bellingham; Joselu, Rodrygo
Union Berlin
F. Rannow; D. Doekhi, R. Knoche, D. Leite; J. Juranovic, A. Kral, A. Laidouni, R. Gosens; K. Volland, D.D. Fofana; K. Behrens
Prediction
Real Madrid will be the favorites to dominate possession and force the visitors back into their half.
Union Berlin will look to attack in transitions and catch Real Madrid out of shape.
Real Madrid will win the match and get off to a winning start.
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