Real Madrid will be missing their biggest weapon as they welcome Galatasaray to the Estadio Bernabéu on Wedensday. Cristiano Ronaldo's hamstring will keep Madrid's leading scorer out of the match but the cupboard is hardly bare for Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray: Preview and TV schedule
Madrid will attempt to clinch the top spot in their group with a win over Galatasaray at the Bernabéu.
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Gareth Bale will be available for selection and is likely to shift over to the left side of Ancelotti's formation to cover for the missing Ronaldo. Ángel di Maria can make his return on the right side as a result. Midfielder Xabi Alonso is also unlikely to play, as the Spanish international has played a number of games since returning from multiple injuries.
For Roberto Mancini and Galatasaray, this match serves two purposes. First it’s chance to keep hold on second place and a spot in the Round of 16 going into the final round of group stage matches. Second, it’s an opportunity to payback Madrid for the 6-1 beating they received in Istanbul back in September.
Easier said than done, of course.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Cristiano Ronaldo (hamstring), Sami Khedira (knee), Raphaël Varane (knee), Fábio Coentrão (thigh), Luka Modric (suspended). In Doubt: Xabi Alonso (rest).
Galatasaray injuries and suspensions
Out: Muslera, Fernando (toe), Hamit Altintop (operation).
The big news is the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo who strained his hamstring over the weekend. He’ll be joined out by Khedira, Coentrão and Varane. The young French defender is still struggling after coming back from knee surgery and will be rested for a week or so. Xabi Alonso could be held out as to rest the midfielder as he works his way back from offseason surgery and groin injury.
Projected lineups
Real Madrid: Iker Casillas, Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Álvaro Arbeloa, Asier Illarramedni, Casemiro, Ángel Di Maria, Isco, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema.
Galatasaray: Eray Iscan, Emmanuel Eboué, Semih Kaya, Aurélien Chedjou, Dany Nounkeu, Gülselan, Felipe Melo, Bruma, Selçuk Inan, Burak Yilmaz, Didier Drogba.
Match Date/Time: 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
TV: Fox Deportes (U.S.), Sky Sports Red Button (U.K.), Sportsnet (Canada)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Online (Canada)
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