Madrid's Ancelotti packs midfield against Leipzig

Real Madrid face RB Leipzig with Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior leading the attack, as coach Carlo Ancelotti opts for a four-man midfield behind them in the Champions League last 16 second leg on Wednesday.

Los Blancos earned a narrow 1-0 lead in Germany and Ancelotti has chosen a solid core to help protect it at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Rodrygo Goes, Brahim Diaz and other attacking options kept in reserve on the bench.

Bellingham, sent off in LaLiga against Valencia last weekend, is Madrid's top goalscorer with 20 goals across all competitions.

With Nacho Fernandez fit to play again, Ancelotti brings the captain into defence and moves Aurelien Tchouameni into his natural position as a defensive midfielder.

The record 14-time European champions have been without first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois all season and Andriy Lunin starts again in his stead, having beaten out Kepa Arrizabalaga in the battle to replace the Belgian.

RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose replaces the suspended Mohamed Simakan with Amadou Haidara, who slots into midfield with Benjamin Henrichs moved to right-back.

Castello Lukeba steps in for Lukas Klostermann in the heart of defence, as the German international is out with a hip problem.

The dangerous Benjamin Sesko and playmakers Dani Olmo and Xavi Simons are Leipzig's key attacking weapons as they attempt to mount a comeback in the Spanish capital.

TEAMS

Real Madrid (4-4-2)

Andriy Lunin; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho Fernandez (capt), Ferland Mendy; Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde; Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti (ITA)

RB Leipzig (4-4-2)

Peter Gulacsi; Benjamin Henrichs, Castello Lukeba, Willi Orban (capt), David Raum; Xaver Schlager, Amadou Haidara, Dani Olmo, Xavi Simons; Lois Openda, Benjamin Sesko

Coach: Marco Rose (GER)

Referee: Davide Massa (ITA)