Real Madrid faces a daunting challenge this Wednesday at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus as they prepare to take on Olympiakos in the Champions League. Historically, the Spanish giants have struggled on Greek soil, never managing to secure a victory against their opponents. For manager Xabi Alonso, breaking this streak is essential, especially as he navigates a difficult phase at Valdebebas following three consecutive matches without a win. Fortunately for Alonso, the club’s hierarchy remains supportive, confident in his ability to turn the tide.
Alonso’s task is made more challenging due to several key absences in his squad. With only Raul Asencio available as a recognized center-back, tactical decisions are crucial if they hope to return home with all three points. The situation is compounded by injuries and illnesses affecting other players; notably, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been ruled out due to gastroenteritis, while Huijsen‘s injury adds to the defensive woes. These circumstances could lead to Andriy Lunin making his season debut and Aurélien Tchouaméni potentially stepping into a central defensive role against the reigning Europa Conference League champions.
Possible Tactical Adjustments
With just Asencio as a conventional center-back, Alonso may opt for a three-man defense, shifting towards a 3-5-2 formation. This tactical adjustment could see Trent and Fran Garcia retain their starting positions for a second consecutive match. In midfield, the trio of Dani Ceballos, Arda Güler, and Jude Bellingham will need to enhance their fluidity and movement to break down Olympiakos’s defenses effectively.
Attack Strategy
In attack, Kylian Mbappé is expected to lead the line alongside Gonzalo Garcia, aiming to secure Real Madrid’s first victory since late October. This pairing could prove pivotal as they seek to exploit any weaknesses in Olympiakos’s backline. The pressure is on as the team looks to regain momentum in their Champions League campaign.
The anticipated lineup for Real Madrid against Olympiakos includes: Lunin; Trent, Asencio, Tchouaméni, Carreras, Fran Garcia; Ceballos, Güler, Bellingham; Mbappé, Gonzalo. With this formation, Alonso hopes to strike a balance between defense and attack.
As the match approaches, fans are eager to see if this revised strategy can finally bring Real Madrid success in Greece. Will they break their Greek curse and deliver a much-needed win?
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