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Three questions ahead of Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid in the Champions League

By Alex McVey

(L-R) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Do,rtmund Christian Pulisic of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach on September 23, 2017 at the Signal Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund, Germany.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(L-R) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Do,rtmund Christian Pulisic of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach on September 23, 2017 at the Signal Iduna Park stadium in Dortmund, Germany.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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How will Zinedine Zidane deal with Real Madrid’s injury issues?

MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid gestures during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Real Madrid and APOEL Nikosia at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Zinedine Zidane of Real Madrid gestures during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Real Madrid and APOEL Nikosia at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images) /

As if things weren’t already going poorly enough for Real Madrid, manager Zinedine Zidane has to deal with a series of injury issues that leaves his squad looking a bit thin.

This is especially true when discussing the left-back position. Theo Hernandez, Real Madrid’s backup left-back, was recovering from a dislocated shoulder when Marcelo went down with a hamstring injury. Real Madrid’s jack-of-all-trades defender Nacho deputized well against Alavés, but he’s not the ideal person for the job.

Theo did not make the squad for the trip to Dortmund, so it looks like we’ll be seeing more of Nacho at left-back against Borussia Dortmund. Nacho will need to be in top form, given the blistering attack Dortmund will be sending his way.

Madrid is also missing Karim Benzema who is out with a hamstring injury as well. Chances are, Zidane will play Ronaldo up top alongside Gareth Bale, who was rested at the weekend against Alavés, with Isco playing behind the two attackers. That leaves Marco Asensio as an option to bring on late into the game when legs are starting to tire.

In the midfield, it looks like Toni Kroos has recovered from the minor knock he got in training, but Mateo Kovacic is still recovering from injury and will not be available. I’d expect Zidane to roll out his preferred midfield trio of Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro.

Next: Check out our Champions League interview with BVB Buzz ahead of Dortmund vs Real Madrid

Stay tuned to The Real Champs for more coverage of Real Madrid’s clash with Borussia Dortmund.

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