Real Madrid vs Wolfsburg – UEFA Champions League – Preview

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Sreya

Real Madrid hosts Wolfsburg at Santiago Bernbeau on 12th April, Tuesday as the Los Blancos aim to overturn a two-goal deficit in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.

Wolfsburg, who have made it to the knock-out stages of Europe’s premier competition for the first time and have been struggling with their domestic form this season, sprung a surprise on Zinedine Zidane’s men when they struck early and held on to their lead to consolidate it later in the second half.

Team News

Rafael Varane has recuperated from his calf injury, allowing Zinedine Zidane to choose his best eleven from a completely healthy squad. Sebastian Jung misses out for Wolfsburg due to a knee injury while Daniel Cagliuri, who is suffering from a groin strain, will face a late fitness test.

Real Madrid Possible Starting Lineup: Keylor Navas, Daniel Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wolfsburg Possible Starting Lineup: Diego Benaglio, Vieirinha, Naldo, Dante, Ricardo Rodriguez, Josuha Guilavogui, Luiz Gustavo, Bruno Henrique, Maximilan Arnold, Julian Draxler, Andre Schürrle.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“This is a big match, but you need a cool head to play in it. We are not going to win it in [the first] ten or 15 minutes. It could be more difficult if they score, but that can happen. We must be focused from minute one. We have to score, but we have 90 minutes to do so. We need to be patient.”

– Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid.

“We knew we would need two magnificent days to advance in the competition – now we just need one. I think we can do our bit. We surprised them in the first leg but this time it will be more difficult. Madrid will try to score as soon as possible. Maybe Zidane will surprise me this time.”

– Dieter Hecking, Woflsburg.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, the only match between these two clubs in the UEFA Champions League was the first leg of this quarter-final, which Wolfsburg won. The Bundesliga side have had troubles away from home, winning only two of their nine matches away from home.

In fact, the win against Real Madrid was their only victory in the last five matches. It will be extremely difficult for the German club to secure a positive result at Bernabeau with a 2-0 win for Real Madrid after normal time being the most likely outcome. The match could swing in favor of either club if extra time and penalties come into play, but Real Madrid are still the favorites to go through into the next round.