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Malmo FF
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid,
Tueday, 7th December 2015
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Having already qualified for the round-of-16 of the Champions League as group toppers, Real Madrid play hosts to Malmo in the final match of the group stage. Malmo will be hoping to take away a point from the Spanish giants in order to stand a chance for a third-place finish.
It seems like a daunting task for Malmo despite the high possibility of Real Madrid fielding a weaker side. Though Real Madrid are going through a tough phase on and off the field, it is highly unlikely that Los Blancos will falter at the Bernabeu against a lowly club from Sweden.
Real Madrid come into this game in good form having won their last 4 games after the embarrassing 4-0 home defeat against Barcelona. The Whites will be hoping to end the group stage in style despite the fact that the result will make absolutely no difference to the cluba s position in the group. Malmo on the other hand have a lot at stake. They will have to at least draw this game in the hope that Shakhtar are beaten by PSG in order to qualify for the Europa League. Trailing at head-to-head with Shakhtar, Malmo will have to go home empty handed if Shakhtar managed to avoid defeat at the hands of PSG.
Team News & Tactical Brief
Real Madrid CF
Real Madrid have nothing but their reputation at stake in this game against Malmo. Rafael Benitez finds himself in a delicate position after the El Clasico defeat and the shameful elimination from the Copa Del Rey after fielding an illegible player. In the game against Malmo, Benitez will be rotating his side in order to rest some of the players before the important league game against Villarreal in the coming weekend. However, even a weak Real Madrid side will be expected to play attractive football and win comfortably against Malmo.
Real Madrid will be missing the services of four of their best defenders as Carvajal, Marcelo, Ramos and Varane are still nursing their injuries. On the other hand, Navas, Bale and Modric will be rested for the tie. Kroos is also likely to start from the bench, as the German definitely deserves some rest in order to be fresh for the game against Villarreal.
Probable Line-Up (4-2-3-1): Casilla; Danilo, Pepe, Nacho, Arbeloa; Casemiro, KovaA?i ; Isco, James, Ronaldo; Jes ;
Malmo
A tough task awaits Malmo as playing at the Bernabeu is always difficult for the visitors. Malmo barely stand a chance to even draw this game, but the Swedish side will be hoping to work some magic and come back home with a positive result. If Malmo do manage to get at least one point from this game, it will be an overwhelming result for them. However, in order to do so, they will have to be solid defensively as the Real Madrid attackers will be given full freedom to be at their creative best.
Azinovic and Molins will miss this game through injury. also sitting out will be Bengtsson and Rosenberg who are suspended for the final game of the group stage.
Probable Line-Up (4-4-2): Wiland; Tinnerholm, A?rnason, Brorsson, Konate; Rodi , Lewicki, Adu, Berget; Djurdji , Eikrem;
Key Facts:
- Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last six European games.
- Malmo have lost both the halves in five of their last seven Champions League matches.
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Player to watch out for:
Isco (Real Madrid)
Always competing with a James Rodriguez for a spot in the starting 11, Isco will have a chance to prove his worth in the game against Malmo. Apart from the defenders, the former Malaga man is most likely to be the only senior player to play the full 90 minutes. He is expected to display his skills with little pressure on the team to perform.
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Malmo
Malmo were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid when the Spanish giants paid a visit in Sweden. It is unlikely that Malmo will now beat Real Madrid at their fortress. An easy victory is on the cards for Real Madrid, but the hosts are most likely to relax a bit in the latter part of the game. Malmo can use this to their advantage to score a goal or at the most two.
Blast from the past