Real Madrid fans should feel content as they managed to secure a win and a clean sheet in their opening Champions League knockout stage match against RB Leipzig. Away from home, Brahim Diaz slotted home a sensational solo-goal in the second half, meaning his side have the advantage. That said, what does Real Madrid need to do in the 2nd leg to advance in the UEFA Champions League?
Let's take a look at the options...
What does Real Madrid need to do in the 2nd leg to advance in the UEFA Champions League?
Real Madrid won their away fixture by a one-goal margin. In the past, the fact that this was an away goal for Real Madrid would have worked in their favour. However, since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, UEFA has almost entirely disregarded the old away goal principle.
The UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said: "It is fair to say that home advantage is nowadays no longer as significant as it once was.... The UEFA Executive Committee has taken the correct decision in adopting the view that it is no longer appropriate for an away goal to carry more weight than one scored at home."
To narrow it down, if Real Madrid keep a clean sheet in the second leg, they will advance through UEFA Champions League rules. But let's take a look at the potential outcomes for the 2nd leg of Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig...
Potential outcomes for the 2nd leg of Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig
If Real Madrid win the 2nd leg by any margin, Real Madrid will progress to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League, while RB Leipzig will be eliminated.
If Real Madrid draw the 2nd leg, Real Madrid will progress to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League, while RB Leipzig will be eliminated.
If Real Madrid lose the 2nd leg by only a one-goal margin, two 15 minute rounds of extra time will be played after the 90 minutes. If, in extra time, the two teams score the same number of goals, the tie will be decided by a penalty shootout.
If Real Madrid lose the 2nd leg by a margin of 2 more goals, RB Leipzig will progress to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League, while Real Madrid will be eliminated.
Predict the outcome of the 2nd leg between Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig in the comments.