Real Madrid return to Champions League clash against Chelsea with 'something different, special' - opinion

Eurosport Spain’s Felix Martin believes that Real Madrid remain a threat against Chelsea in the Champions League despite their poor league form. Manager Carlo Ancelotti won last year’s Liga and Champions League with Karim Benzema and co, but this year they have lost their way a little domestically as Barcelona race clear with an almost inevitable victory in the league.

Ad However, Martin believes that Real’s interest and capabilities in European football cannot be discounted ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie in Madrid. Champions LeagueAncelotti 'sad' to see Chelsea struggling, rules out returning to the clubA DAY AGO He explained: “The situation of Real Madrid in La Liga is complicated, it seems that in a certain way they have lost motivation.

But you know about the relationship Real Madrid and the Bernabeu have with the Champions League, it is something different, special, with a Real Madrid completely opposite to the one we usually see in domestic competition.” There are a few selection worries for Ancelotti. «The only missing player for Real Madrid is Ferland Mendy,» Martin said, «which is quite a problem since Ancelotti has been having many issues to find a reliable replacement at left-back».

Tactically, Martin believes Ancelotti may choose to pack the midfield to make sure the tie is under control, even if they have home advantage to exploit. Man Utd given boost in hunt for Barcelona forward Fati — Paper Round Guardiola wary of 'Bayern mentality', Tuchel says he 'fell in love' with his side Gap between Chelsea and Real Madrid 'not as big as people think' — Cole “On the one hand, it would seem understandable that Ancelotti played with Vinicius, Benzema and Rodrygo or Marco Asensio on the attacking line since,