After probably the easiest group in their Champions League history, RB Leipzig have been given a top-class opponent for the round of 16. Although they have already had good experiences with Real Madrid in their own stadium, the Whites have strengthened their squad with a difference-maker from the Bundesliga.
Real Madrid
The coach: Carlo Ancelotti no longer has to prove anything to anyone. In his second term in Madrid, he has already won the championship and the Champions League. Nevertheless, the future of the 64-year-old Italian is still open. His contract expires at the end of the season and it was previously assumed that his future would be as Brazil's national team coach. Before the recent league match against Villarreal, however, Ancelotti hinted that he could well imagine a future in Madrid.
The key player: Jude Bellingham has become a central figure at Real Madrid right from the start. The Briton, who was brought in from Dortmund for around €100 million, has carried the Whites through the season so far and is playing at a completely different level. The midfielder has scored 13 goals in 15 league games so far and has scored four times in five Champions League matches.
The special thing: When Leipzig played Real in the group stage last season, they were still playing on a building site. The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is now almost finished and is due to reopen on December 23. They played against Getafe on September 2 with the roof closed for the first time
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