UEFA Champions League
CSKA Moscow vs Real Madrid Preview
CSKA welcome current holders Real Madrid to the VEB Arena where they will hope to achieve a positive result against the Spanish giants at home. The Russian club sit in second in Group G with a point after tying with Viktoria Plzeň on matchday one.
Their visitors will look to continue their good start to the tournament after easily seeing off AS Roma 3-0 in their opening match. While ‘Los Blancos’ know they are favorites to win the match, the 13 time champions have failed to score in their two previous games.
Team News
The hosts have a number of missing players due to injury. In particular, head coach Viktor Goncharenko is without Kristijan Bistrovic, Viktor Vasin, Konstantin Kuchaev, Aleksandr Makrov, Abel Hernandez and Hordur Magnusson. Nevertheless, it’s not all bad news as Khetag Khosonov is back to full fitness. The midfielder’s goal won the Russian Super Cup for his team back in July and he will be eager to get on the scoresheet against the champions.
Likewise, Madrid also enter Tuesday’s match missing several key squad members. Team captain Sergio Ramos and star forward Gareth Bale did not make the trip to Russia. Both with minor knocks. Left back Marcelo and midfielder Isco however, are expected to miss more time with a calf injury and appendicitis respectively. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas should return to the starting lineup as the team’s keeper in cup competition despite the heroics of Thibaut Courtois in La Liga on the weekend.
Lineups and Match Prediction
CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev; Efremov, Nababkin, Chernov, Becao, Fernandes; Vlasic, Oblyakov, Bijol; Dzagoev, Chalov
Real Madrid: Navas; Nacho, Vallejo, Varane, Carvajal; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vazquez
Goncharenko’s men barely salvaged a point in their first game with Nikola Vlašić converting an injury time penalty. In fact, much of the Russian team’s season has been grinding out results in like fashion. CSKA have only lost once in their previous 11 matches, with five ending in a draw. The team’s defensive discipline will be tested thoroughly by their Spanish guests.
Despite the absence of Bale in attack and Ramos in defense, Lopetegui’s men should be able to achieve their second win in as many UCL games. After a rough September which saw the team win two out of five matches, the squad will see victory in the Russian capital as a potential fresh start. Expect the visitors to re-discover their scoring form and make it 6 out of 6 points in group G.
CSKA Moscow 1 – 3 Real Madrid
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