Real Madrid take on FC Copenhagen in Denmark tonight in their final 2013/14 Champions League group stage fixture, as the home side search for Europa League qualification.
Los Blancos have already secured top spot in the group after amassing 13 points in their first five matches, although coach Carlo Ancelotti may not get the chance to give all of his superstars a rest, due to Sergio Ramos’ suspension and injuries to Fabio Coentrao, Raphael Varane and Sami Khedira, before the resumption of La Liga this weekend.
Copenhagen came into the group as huge underdogs, but have managed four points from their five games and, barring a minor miracle, will not be progressing through to the round of 16.
They can, however, achieve a 3rd place finish in the group, which would lead to them dropping down into the next stage of the Europa League. If Copenghagen better Galatasaray’s result against Juventus, or Galatasaray beat Juventus and Copenhagen defeat Los Blancos they will move into the Europa League.
Cristiano Ronaldo last week said he was ‘Fully recovered’ from the thigh injury that had kept him out of Real’s two previous fixtures, before his suspension from the past weekend’s Copa Del Rey tie, so is likely to return to the starting line-up.
Los Blancos have not lost in their last eight games, and it is certain Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to continue that run before the team head to Osasuna on Saturday afternoon.
Probable line-ups:
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Nacho, Marcelo; Alonso, Illaramendi; Bale, Isco, Ronaldo; Benzema
Copenhagen: Wiland, Remmer, Mellberg, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Kristensen, Claudemir, Delaney, Toutouh, Jørgensen, Vetokele.
