A week ago, Real Madrid was in contention to claim the La Liga title and become the first team in the Champions League era to defend the European crown. But on the eve of its second leg clash against Juventus on Wednesday, it is staring at a trophy-less season.
A 2-1 defeat in the first leg, followed by the draw over the weekend against Valencia mean that its manager, Carlo Ancelotti, who delivered the club’s La Decima, is in danger of being rendered jobless.
In Turin, Ancelotti’s move of playing Sergio Ramos in front of the defence didn’t work well as the front two of Alvaro Moratta and Carlos Tevez, in combination with the omnipresent Arturo Vidal, hounded the centre-backs Pepe and Rafael Varane. Though Ramos was restored to his customary centre-back role against Valencia, it remains to be seen where he plays.
Karim Benzema could be back after an injury layoff but might just make the bench. Toni Kroos had an injury scare against Valencia but he is expected to start Real’s most important game even if not cent percent fit.
But much will depend on how Juventus line up, even as it welcomes Paul Pogba back. In the quarterfinal second leg in Monaco, in an attempt to shut the game down, it played a 3-5-2 formation. But with Real scoring a crucial away goal, the Old Lady might think twice.
Even a 1-0 result is enough for Real while a goal for Juventus will force its opponent to score three. So a midway switch in formation, like Massimiliano Allegri did in the first leg, is likely.
