Sergio Ramos returns to the base at Real Madrid on Wednesday evening after more than a month of injuries. The captain comes in the semi-final of the Champions League against Chelsea in the team for Raphaël Varane, who had to drop out injured. At Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech has to give up his place in the front to Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount. The match starts at 9 pm in London; the first game in Madrid ended in 1-1.
Zinedine Zidane set up five defenders in the home game against Chelsea, but falls back to the familiar 4-3-3 system for the return game. Marcelo is a child of the account of that choice and moves to the bank. Thibaut Courtois is the trusted goalkeeper, while Éder Militao is expected in the right back position. Ramos forms a central duo with Nacho, while Benjamin Mendy is left back.
Real Madrid’s familiar midfield with Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos remains intact. In the front, a place will be available for Eden Hazard, who last played a Champions League match on November 25. The Belgian attacker has already recovered from an ankle injury for several weeks and also had a basic place against Osasuna (2-0 win) on Saturday. Real’s other attackers are Vinícius Júnior and Karim Benzema.
Ziyech still had a starting place against Fulham (2-0 win) on Saturday, but will lose it. Thomas Tuchel brings Mount, who played as a controlling midfielder on Saturday, one line forward. That is also at the expense of Christian Pulisic, who still scored in Madrid, but now has to settle for a place on the bench. Compared to that match, Antonio Rüdiger comes on the defensive in the team instead of Kurt Zouma.
Chelsea line-up: Mendy; Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kanté, Jorginho, Chilwell; Havertz, Werner, Mount
Real Madrid lineup: Courtois; Militao, Nacho, Ramos, Mendy; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Vinicius, Benzema, Hazard