Real Madrid has a daunting job on Wednesday. Following the disastrous night in London, the squad will need to do much more than just play well to turn things around. Carlo Ancelotti, the manager who is regularly chastised, has the opportunity this time to transform his criticism into applause.
A three-goal deficit is not easy to overcome in 90 minutes, but it is also not impossible. It is a challenging task, but it is not insurmountable.
However, if Madrid manage to score and defend endlessly at the Santiago Bernabeu and advances to the semifinals, they will have up to five players who will need to be exceedingly cautious in the second leg to avoid a ban in the semifinals.
Five Real Madrid players could be suspended for the hypothetical Champions League semifinal
Real Madrid players have received more yellow cards than any other side in the Champions League this season. According to UEFA regulations, players will be penalized if they receive three yellow card bookings during the competition, and each successive odd number yellow card (5th, 7th, and 9th) will result in an additional one-game suspension.
As of now, five key Real Madrid players are one yellow card away from missing the semifinal match. The players are Vinicius Jr., Luka Modric, Antonio Rudiger, Endrick, and Lucas Vazquez. As a bonus, Carlo Ancelotti is also on the list.
All five players, two of whom are definite starts (Vinicius and Rudiger), are anticipated to play with extraordinary prudence because a single unanalyzed error in the lengthy second leg will cost the team more than they can earn.
The players must exercise care with tackles and shirtless celebrations to ensure that their trip to the semifinals is achieved smoothly. It will be a difficult game that will definitely be more physically demanding than the first leg, and each step must be handled with extreme caution and consideration.