Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig | UEFA Champions League

Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig | UEFA Champions League Having taken apart Sevilla convincingly at the Santiago Bernabeu just days ago, Real Madrid will return to the stadium high on confidence tomorrow night when they take on RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League . The Merengues are well placed in the European standings at this point, with two wins in two games, and sit comfortably in the top ten. Leipzig, however, pose an interesting challenge, for they are a side with immense potential that is awaiting to be unlocked. The ongoing season has not been pleasant for them so far, and they will be raring for a result that can get them back on track. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will look to keep the momentum going after a solid display at the weekend, especially with Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou up next. Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig. New-look midfield Jose Mourinho’s tactics against Sevilla worked like a gem, and for the first time this season, Real Madrid looked like a side with a structure and a plan. The men in white controlled the game far better than one could have expected, created chances and looked like a threat going into the final third, and the biggest difference that enabled the transformation was the midfield experiment. After the Federico Valverde-Aurelien Tchouameni double pivot failed for the nth time against AS Roma, Mourinho finally decided to make amends and try a new combination on the night. Has Mourinho found his solution for Real Madrid’s midfield problems? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) He moved the captain to right-back and shifted Arda Guler to a deeper role alongside Tchouameni, thereby keeping the Frenchman, Valverde, Guler and Jude Bellingham all on the field simultaneously. The result was exceptional. Guler’s presence in a deep role enabled him to playmake and control the tempo of the game while Tchouameni shielded him from the physical pressure of the game. Bellingham connected better with the deep midfield, while Valverde offered his tireless work rate from an alternative position. Heading into the game against Leipzig, it is a no-brainer that the manager give the new combination continuity , especially given how it is Real Madrid’s only hope of offering any competition to Barcelona’s midfield at the weekend. If the players can offer similar stability, control, creativity and defensive solidity as they did at the weekend, it will be a massive win for Real Madrid and a confidence boost for the dressing room. Vinicius under pressure It was always a massive question as to whether Vinicius Jr.’s suspension was a boon or a bane for Real Madrid, and the game against Sevilla made it clear that it could well be the former. The men in white, after all, delivered their best attacking display against Sevilla and the Brazilian’s absence actually worked out in the team’s favour. Yan Diomande appears well set on the left flank, and Endrick is providing the team with the balance they require on the right flank. In fact, his absence has also allowed Arda Guler to start with the attacking front four. Vinicius is suspended for Real Madrid’s next three games in La Liga, and he could well lose his spot in the starting XI if matters progress as they have been in recent days. His performance in the UEFA Champions League tomorrow, in that sense, becomes very crucial for the European competition, as it is the only stage for him to make a case for himself at this point in time. Under pressure to deliver. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Vinicius will start against Leipzig, but will do so with serious pressure on him to perform. With new signings and competitors moving ahead of him on the manager’s pecking order, the player is slowly but surely running out of time. Buildup to a grand fixture While the game against RB Leipzig is indeed important in terms of Real Madrid’s position on the UEFA Champions League standings and their hopes to avoid playoffs, the focus will not be primarily on the game itself. Still in the early stages of the European competition, every win is indeed precious but not a must given how Real Madrid have already secured two wins in two games. What is a must-win for Los Blancos , at this point, is the Clasico at the weekend, and it is clear that Jose Mourinho and Co. will have one eye on that game. Barcelona are already running away with the lead in La Liga, and the Clasico is Real Madrid’s best chance of inflicting damage on the Catalans’ score tally. Moreover, it hands them a direct chance to cut the deficit short. Whether Mourinho will partially rotate his squad in anticipation of the game against Barcelona, thus, remains to be seen and there is a genuine case to be made for that clash to be prioritised. Beyond resting players, there is a real need for the men in white to take all three points with dominance tomorrow, for momentum will be everything heading into El Clasico this time around.