RB LEIPZIG VS. REAL MADRID
Round of 16, second leg!
On Wednesday evening (9 p.m.) our boys will look to progress in the UEFA Champions League in the second leg of the round of 16. The task is not an easy one after the 0-1 defeat in the first leg, but the first 90 minutes showed that head coach Marco Rose‘s team can compete with the Madrileños.
We’ll look at head-to-head battles before the showdown and introduce you to Real’s goal scorer from the first leg, Brahim Diaz. Jude Bellingham, who missed the first leg with an ankle injury, is also expected to play for Real on Wednesday .
Brahim Diaz
In the first leg, Brahim Diaz (24) took the headlines when he made it 1-0 for Real Madrid. The Spaniard moved to Madrid from Manchester City in 2019 after the two-footed offensive player progressed through the youth teams at the top English club, and played five competitive games for the first team under head coach Pep Guardiola .
After a year in Madrid, the one-time Spanish international went on loan to AC Milan from 2020 to summer 2023. There, Brahim Diaz became a regular player and reached the Champions League semi-finals with the Rossoneri last season.
Diaz returned to Madrid at the start of the 23/24 season and has been a regular starter since – either at the front in a two/three-man attack or one behind as a playmaker.
BRAHIM DIAZ
- Age: 24
- Height: 1.70 meters
- Appearances 23/24: 31
- Goals 23/24: 8
- Assists: 4
WILLI ORBAN VS. ANTONIO RÜDIGER
Willi Orban, our captain with his calm and experience, is a crucial factor in the RBLS’ defence. A knee injury slowed the defender down for several months, which explains Willi’s infrequent absence this season.
23/24 Performance data for Willi Orban
- Position: Central defense
- Age: 31
- Appearances: 11
- Yellow cards: 1
Willis’ counterpart is Antonio Rüdiger. The German international has been playing in the Spanish capital (previously at FC Chelsea) since July 2022, and has been a central part of their defense since. Similar to Willi Orban, the 30-year-old is resolute in duels and high balls, as well as a vocal leader.
Recently, thigh problems left Rüdiger unavailable. But, in Real’s last two league games against Sevilla (1-0) and Valencia (2-2), the Berlin native returned to the starting line-up.
23/24 Performance data for Antonio Rüdiger
- Name: Central defense
- Age: 31
- Appearances: 32
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 1
- Yellow cards: 8
* All statistics across all competitions for the respective club this season were taken into account.
XAVER SCHLAGER VS. TONI KROOS
He missed the 4-1 win in Bochumdue to suspension, butXaver Schlagershould be back in Marco Rose‘s team in Madrid. In his second year at RB Leipzig, the Austrian international has impressed as a midfield engine. He has his strengths in counter-pressing and, with his tireless running, is valuable in the RBL transition game.
23/24 Performance data for Xaver Schlager
- Position: Central midfield
- Age: 26
- Appearances: 31
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 5
- Yellow cards: 7
Toni Kroos has been the pace-setter in Madrid for almost ten years. Now 34, Kroos, who recently announced his return to the German national team, is still the leader on the pitch. In addition, the man from Greifswalder, whose passing game continues to be one of the best, is the most successful German player of all time, with 31 trophies.
23/24 Performance data for Toni Kroos
- Position: Central midfield
- Age: 34
- Appearances: 35
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 7
- Yellow cards: 3
* All statistics across all competitions for the respective club this season were taken into account.
DANI OLMO VS LUKA MODRIC
“El Mago” is slowly returning to his best after two injuries kept him out in the first half of the season. Dani Olmo’squality shone in the away win in Bochum, scoring from distance to make it 1-1. His magic foot can do anything with the ball, and now his rhythm is improving every game.
23/24 Performance data for Dani Olmo
- Position: Attacking midfield
- Age: 25
- Appearances: 16
- Goals: 7
- Assists: 4
- Yellow cards: 1
The Croatian Luka Modric has been at Real Madrid since 2012. Even at a somewhat advanced age (38), Modric is still important for the team and for head coach Carlo Ancelotti – even if the Italian has recently relied more on the new generation in midfield in Eduardo Camavinga or Federico Valverde .
Modric regularly finds success off the bench, in the last home game against Sevilla FC (1-0) with former Leipzig player Örjan Nyland in goal, the 2018 World Player of the Year scored the winning goal.
23/24 Performance data for Luka Modric
- Position: Central midfield
- Age: 38
- Appearances: 30
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 6
- Yellow cards: 1
* All statistics across all competitions for the respective club this season were taken into account.
XAVI VS. JUDE BELLINGHAM
Xavi is really delivering this season: the attacker likes to move from the wing into the middle with speed and when he does, he is a threat. The young Dutchman is always either looking for a finish or has an eye for his teammates, and the 20-year-old was also one of our goalscorers in Bochum. Xavi, who developed in FC Barcelona’s youth academy, is looking forward to the game at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, saying,”The Bernabeu and the Champions League, that’s special.”
Overall Performance data
- Position: Attacking midfield
- Age: 20
- Appearances: 33
- Goals: 8
- Assists: 12
- Yellow cards : 6
After moving from Borussia Dortmund to Madrid last summer, Jude Bellingham didn’t need time. The midfielder is currently top scorer in LaLiga with 16 goals, and has scored 20 times in all competitions this season. For Örjan Nyland, Bellingham is currently “one of, if not the best player in Europe”. Bellingham was injured in the first leg, but he should start against our boys in the second.
PERFORMANCE DATA OVERALL
- Position: Attacking midfield
- Age: 20
- Appearances: 30
- Goals: 20
- Assists: 8
- Yellow cards : 9
* All statistics across all competitions for the respective club this season were taken into account.
LOIS OPENDA VS. VINICIUS JUNIOR
Our number 17 has already scored 17 Bundesliga goals in his debut season. Lois Openda is already the most successful Belgian in a Bundesliga season and a frequent goalscorer.
With his pace, physicality and determination in front of the opponent’s goal, the 24-year-old is a key component of RBL’s attack.
23/24 Performance data for Lois Openda
- Position: Striker
- Age: 24
- Appearances: 34
- Goals: 21
- Assists: 4
- Yellow cards: 5
In Madrid’s 4-3-3 system, Vinicius Junior has become one of the most spectacular left wingers over the last two years, thanks to his pace and dribbling strength. After the departure of Karim Benzema and the arrival of Jude Bellingham, coach Ancelotti has often played with two strikers this season, so that the Brazilian can play more in the center.
23/24 Performance data for Vinicius Jr.
- Position: Striker
- Age: 23
- Appearances: 25
- Goals: 14
- Assists: 7
- Yellow cards: 5
* All statistics across all competitions for the respective club this season were taken into account.