Real Madrid: 5 burning questions heading into Champions League semifinal second leg

Will Real Madrid’s midfield dominate again?

There were three overarching stories in the first leg of the Champions League. Marcelo was a huge weak point for Real Madrid’s defense, Los Blancos could create very little beyond Karim Benzema’s individual brilliance, and the midfield battle was handily won by N’Golo Kante and the Blues.

It was surprising for many to see Real’s midfield struggle as much as they did in the first leg, but Madridistas were actually not surprised despite knowing better than anyone else how amazing Casemiro, Luka Modric, and Toni Kroos are.

The reality is that the Royal White midfield was not even close to 100 percent. Modric was coming off an injury and beyond fatigued. Kroos was in the same position. Funnily enough, Kroos ended up having a good game once things settled in the second half, but he was very much not his lights-out self on the big stage.

Now, Kroos and Modric are rested and ready to go. Neither played a single minute against Osasuna, as the team got the job done without them.

Real Madrid have been buoyed by their midfield this season, and they need that dynamic duo of Kroos and Modric to own the pitch. Chelsea have a great group, too, but Real should be on a different level. And they will need to be in order to advance.