RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid Full Match UCL 2023-24

RB Leipzig are back in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages seeking once again to get past one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Last season it was Manchester City (L 8-1 on aggregate) and this time it is Real Madrid, but after beating the Spanish outfit 3-2 here in the group stage last season, Marco Rose’s team shouldn’t be overawed by the scale of the task that awaits.

Being pegged back to draw 2-2 with Augsburg at the weekend was a less than ideal way to prepare, especially as the Red Bulls lost ground on the Bundesliga’s top four, but at least in this competition they have won four of their last six home fixtures (D1, L1). After both teams scored on the day in each of their last ten such games, both defences could be kept busy at the Red Bull Arena (W5, D2, L3).

Real Madrid thumped Girona 4-0 on Sunday to go five points clear at the top of La Liga, and having won their Champions League group with a perfect record (W6), are in ominous form as they chase a 15th Champions League/European Cup title. They’ll be wary following last term’s H2H loss, but that remains their only Champions League defeat to a German side across their last 13 encounters (W8, D4).

Only RB Leipzig and Manchester City have condemned Los Blancos to an away defeat in this competition since PSG did so in February 2022 (W8, D1), although all three group stage away wins were achieved via a one-goal margin. With the free-scoring Jude Bellingham unavailable through injury, they might need more of the ‘never say die’ attitude that saw them score after the 75th minute to secure two of those victories.

Players to watch: Loïs Openda has netted in each of RB Leipzig’s last four fixtures, twice between the 50th and 60th minute. After he opened the scoring against Girona, three of Vinícius Júnior’s last six goals for Real Madrid came in the first 15 minutes.

Hot stat: RB Leipzig opened the scoring within 15 minutes in three of their last four Champions League games (W3, L1).