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Football London
Football London
Sport
Scott Trotter

Confirmed Real Madrid vs Chelsea starting XI as Ancelotti makes one change and Benzema starts

Carlo Ancelotti has made one change to the Real Madrid side that defeated Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Stamford Bridge. Eder Militao drops out of the side to serve his suspension after picking up a booking when he brought down Kai Havertz in the first clash between the sides last week.

Nacho Fernandez is the defender to line up alongside David Alaba in the heart of defence ahead of former Blues star Thibaut Courtois. Eden Hazard once again misses the clash through injury.

In his press conference on Monday, Los Blancos boss Ancelotti noted that he hoped to employ the same tactics once again that had been successful against Thomas Tuchel's men. The Italian coach said: "We'll see. We would like to do the same approach, but they may change because it didn't work out for them. We have to be prepared for everything.

READ MORE: Carlo Ancelotti lays out key Thomas Tuchel challenge to avoid Real Madrid vs Chelsea repeat

"The luck I have is that this squad knows this type of match and what can happen. We won't go out relaxed. My squad is happy to play because it's a great opportunity to reach a 'semi'. Chelsea deserves all our respect."

It appears that once again, Federico Valverde will have the opportunity to pressure who lines up at left wing-back for Chelsea. Tuchel will hope to combat that and the combination of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior that caused so many problems one week ago.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Alaba, Nacho, Mendy Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Benzema.

Substitutes: Lunin, Fuidias, Asensio, Marcelo, Jovic, Lucas V, Bale, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Mariano, Camavinga, Marin.

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