Real Madrid take on Basle tonight in their first group game of this season’s Champions League. And the holders come into the competition on the back of some poor domestic form.
Rather then be in celebratory mood going into the game, the papers in Madrid are focusing on a number of changes they think need to be made as Carlo Ancelotti looks to get the campaign back on track.
The main issue once again is the goalkeeping one. Fans and pundits alike have called for Iker Casillas to be dropped in favour of Keylor Navas, but Ancelotti maintains the 33-year-old is the number one choice for now and will start.
At the other end of the field, Karim Benzema is struggling in front of goal. And Marca has quotes from Zinedine Zidane saying he has no concerns about he forward. He told the paper: “He’ll score in the next game and everyone will move on to talk about something else.”
Elsewhere, Paulo Sousa, the boss of tonight’s opponents has talked up compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo. In his press conference yesterday, he described the 29-year-old as the flag bearer of the best team in the world, and his players would have to put in the performance of a lifetime if are to emerge triumphant this evening.
Hala Madrid!!! we can turn things around right here in the Santiago Benebau