Real Madrid face their third and final Champions League Group Stage away assignment in Basel,
with twin objectives: to seal progress to the last 16 as group winners,
and to equal their club record of 15 wins in a row, which they posted
in the seasons 1960-61 (all 15 in La Liga) and 2011-12 (10 in La Liga
and the remaining 5 in the Champions League).
The first of the two targets will be met if the Whites win, draw or avoid defeat by a margin of four or more goals. Were they to come away with three points, they would also have the opportunity on the final matchday to become the only team ever to claim a clean sweep of Group Stage victories in the Champions League on two separate occasions.
The La Liga leaders return to Switzerland for the first time in five seasons. The last time they visited the country, they came up against Zurich (2-5). For tonight's clash, Carlo Ancelotti has named a 20-man squad.
The first of the two targets will be met if the Whites win, draw or avoid defeat by a margin of four or more goals. Were they to come away with three points, they would also have the opportunity on the final matchday to become the only team ever to claim a clean sweep of Group Stage victories in the Champions League on two separate occasions.
The La Liga leaders return to Switzerland for the first time in five seasons. The last time they visited the country, they came up against Zurich (2-5). For tonight's clash, Carlo Ancelotti has named a 20-man squad.
Real Madrid are on a run of seven straight victories in the Champions League.
Of particular note is the
return of Illarramendi, who has recovered from injury, as well as the
inclusion of the Real Madrid Castilla midfielder Lucas Torró. Also
involved will be Benzema, who has scored in all four matches that Madrid have played in Europe's premier club competition so far this season.
Basel could qualify tonight
The Swiss side's motivation will be immense. Not only because they take on the European champions, but also because they could claim qualification for the last 16 with a game still to spare in Group B. To do so, they would have to beat Real Madrid and see Liverpool fail to win in Bulgaria against Ludogorets.
Basel go into the encounter in their best form of the season. In their last four competitive matches, they have not conceded a single goal and have scored 13. And their figures multiply on home turf. Indeed, they are on a run of eight games unbeaten (six wins) and have only suffered defeat in one of their last ten European encounters. This season, they have won two out of two: neither Liverpool (1-0) nor Ludogorets (4-0) were able to find the net at St. Jakob Park.
Basel could qualify tonight
The Swiss side's motivation will be immense. Not only because they take on the European champions, but also because they could claim qualification for the last 16 with a game still to spare in Group B. To do so, they would have to beat Real Madrid and see Liverpool fail to win in Bulgaria against Ludogorets.
Basel go into the encounter in their best form of the season. In their last four competitive matches, they have not conceded a single goal and have scored 13. And their figures multiply on home turf. Indeed, they are on a run of eight games unbeaten (six wins) and have only suffered defeat in one of their last ten European encounters. This season, they have won two out of two: neither Liverpool (1-0) nor Ludogorets (4-0) were able to find the net at St. Jakob Park.
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