Preview: Basel v Real Madrid

Preview: Basel v Real Madrid
Published: Tuesday 25 November 2014, 20.35CET
According to Paulo Sousa, it could be a "magical night of fantastic happiness" for FC Basel 1893 when Real Madrid CF visit, with Carlo Ancelotti wanting a 15th straight win.


Preview: Basel v Real Madrid
Basel coach Paulo Sousa speaks to the press ©AFP/Getty Images

• Paulo Sousa is backing Basel to "produce a great result" against Madrid
• Madrid have won 14 successive games in all competitions, netting 56 goals
• There were five different scorers when Madrid beat Basel 5-1 on matchday one
• Basel's coach wants to see "attacking and courageous football"
• Carlo Ancelotti predicting a game of "rhythm and intensity"
Related Items

    Basel v Real Madrid facts
    Weekend review
    Goals, goals, goals
    Ludogorets v Liverpool
    Atlético v Olympiacos
    Malmö v Juventus
    Leverkusen v Monaco
    Zenit v Benfica
    Anderlecht v Galatasaray
    Arsenal v Dortmund

Permutations: Basel (6pts) v Real Madrid (12)
• Basel will be through if they win and Liverpool do not.
• Madrid are through and will clinch first place as long as Basel do not win by a scoreline which gives them the head-to-head edge on the European champions.

Possible lineups
Basel: Vaclík; Schär, Suchý, Safari; Xhaka/Degen, Frei, Elneny, Gashi; Gonzalez, Zuffi; Embolo.
• Out: Ivanov (knee), Streller (back)
• Doubtful: Sio (knee), Xhaka (thigh)

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Isco, James; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.
• Out: Modrić (thigh), Jesé (knee), Khedira (did not travel), Pepe (did not travel)
• Doubtful: Illarramendi (groin)

Paulo Sousa, Basel coach
It won't be the same game as at the Bernabéu, when everything was new for us. Here we are more at ease and we will keep playing the same way as always. Madrid have won their last [14] games and they've been working together for more than a year. We have to keep the same personality and to be the protagonists. If we are more efficient than in the first game and block their counterattacks, we can get a great result.

For us a good result is to win. We need all the details in our favour and to play great team football. We are always focused on winning games. We want to progress in the Champions League.

I believe we can qualify. The aim is to play attacking and courageous football. If we perform like that, we can compete with them. We're facing a big team but we will do everything to have a chance of qualifying. We need to believe and have conviction and personality.

I don't think the fact Madrid are qualified is an advantage for us. They have world-class players and it's up to us to work to have a perfect game. We don't want to give them chances to counterattack with such dangerous players; we conceded three goals on the counterattack in the first match.

I'm not scared of Cristiano Ronaldo but always happy to see such a player on the pitch, as both a coach and a Portuguese. Madrid are not just Cristiano, even if he is really important for them. If we don't allow him to have the ball, he won't have the opportunity to scare us.

I wouldn't pick any of their players. My players are always the best. I really believe that we can have a magical night and deliver fantastic happiness to our fans.

Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid coach
I haven't picked my first XI yet but up front it should be the same as the last game. Perhaps I will change the full-backs as they're a bit tired. [Asier]
Illarramendi is feeling better and ready to play, he will have opportunities. He will help us. Isco is playing really well at the minute – great attitude, fighting, running a lot. I don't need to list his qualities as everybody is already doing it.

[Sami] Khedira has not travelled because he is slightly injured, and I also preferred to have Pepe resting than coming here.

Javier Hernández's signing is positive, he's played well so far. We are qualified but we want to win with the best team possible to be sure of finishing first in the group. All the teams need to pick up points. It will be a good game with lot of rhythm and intensity.

We don't think a lot about this record of winning a 15th game in a row, although it's an important thing for the club.

source