AEK Athens vs Real Madrid: Match preview | UEFA Champions League

AEK Athens vs Real Madrid: Match preview | UEFA Champions League After a trip to Santander, Real Madrid now travel to Athens to lock horns with 27th-placed AEK Athens in matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League, where the Los Blancos will look to extend their perfect record in the competition so far. The men in white secured a comfortable win over Racing Club and are favourites to secure a fourth consecutive UCL victory against Athens. Vinicius returns; Jose Mourinho expected to make rotations Credit Image: © Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire The Portuguese manager confirmed in the pre-match presser that out-of-form Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior will make a start against Athens, hence keeping Yan Diomande on the bench. Not only that, Mourinho is expected to make rotations and give a start to some of the bench strength. It will not be a surprise if Brahim Diaz begins the match on the right or Alvaro Carreras is one of the full-backs. It will also be interesting to see if Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham start, considering they pose an attacking threat and have not only been two of Real Madrid’s best players this season, but arguably also in Europe. Especially the Frenchman, who has scored in each of the three Champions League matches so far. It is a competition that brings out the best in him; hence, it would not be a surprise if Mourinho continues with Mbappe instead of handing a start to Carlos Espi or Endrick. Los Blancos have looked like a completely different side ever since the international break ended, winning 6 consecutive matches and scoring 18 goals in the process. Their opponents, AEK Athens, meanwhile, are placed 27th, winning just 1 match in the competition so far and conceding 8 goals. Athens are not even the best side in Greece this season, currently placed 4th in the Greek Super League. Former Real Madrid man Luka Jovic has scored 6 goals in 14 matches for Athens and is in pole position to start against his former team. No game in the Champions League is easy, and Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho are aware of that fact. But with momentum on their side, expect the men in white to end up with the 3 points and another UCL victory.