Real Madrid look to complete swift qualification against lifeless Legia

Real Madrid look to complete swift qualification against lifeless Legia

 

In 2016/17, Real Madrid are a team of spurts; be it their rampant start to the campaign that kept up the winning streak from last year or the self-doubting spate of draws that struck in late September.

Luckily for Zinedine Zidane, that stalemate spell has given way to a series of confident thrashings in recent weeks - despite the absence of Luka Modric, Casemiro, and Sergio Ramos - as Real Betis, Cultural Leonesa, Alaves, and Legia Warsaw were all put to the sword.

It's the latter who are on the agenda once again on Wednesday night in the return fixture of their Champions League Group F campaign, although the circumstances are somewhat unique.

Polish Army Stadium will be empty due to a UEFA stadium closure order, depriving Legia of their vociferous fans that coach Jacek Magiera remarked as their life and soul.

Of course, for Real it merely increases the need for a professional job as group stage qualification will be guaranteed with a win and a Sporting CP defeat in their trip to Borussia Dortmund.

Four teams have already passed through to the last-16 with two games to play and another four are very capable of joining them tonight.

A couple of questions are still floating around the Blancos dressing room, however, not least the debate over Alvaro Morata's inclusion, most likely at the expense of Karim Benzema after Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick last time out.

Also of interest will be the partnership of Nacho and Raphael Varane in central defence, one that needs to thrive from the outset given the upcoming Madrid derby, with the trip to Poland planned as being a simple stroll in comparison.