Real Madrid has some spiritual force fueling it nowadays. After being down by 3-1, a Panenka-style penalty and another goal in the 93rd minute kept the unbeaten record intact. Now with 40 consecutive matches without losing, Sevilla won’t let another lead get away from them. Their fans will be stronger than ever and a win would shorten the distance in the La Liga table.
Preferred Lineup: 4-3-3
Zinedine Zidane kept on rotating on Thursday, with a few of the changes being quite surprising. This time around, it’s doubtful he will risk the current lead from Sevilla in the table. Many of those who rested will be back at it with the hopes of increasing that lead. Any sort of larger cushion can be of great help when the rivals in the Copa del Rey or Champions League get more demanding.
GK: Keylor Navas
The two clean sheets that started off the year are in the past. However, this doesn’t mean the Costa Rican should get comfortable. Sevilla will go out to make some damage, but a collaboration between Navas and his defense can keep the 0 intact.
Defense
RB: Dani Carvajal
Zidane gave another chance to Danilo. Once again, the Brazilian proved he doesn’t cut it for a team of Madrid’s caliber, at least not as a right back. Carvajal will go back to his spot and help avoid three more conceded goals.
CB: Raphaël Varane
His absence left the Ramos-Nacho pair without the height to clear out Sevilla’s constant crosses. His return is almost guaranteed. Even though Ben Yedder and Correa didn’t have their day, someone with speed will need to watch them.
CB: Sergio Ramos
It takes a lot of nerve to do a Panenka-style penalty, whether it’s a friendly, an amateur game or a World Cup final. Sergio isn’t a stranger to this, having done so in the Euro 2012 semi-finals. This time it was against his former team and fans.
LB: Marcelo
He kept his attacking form going, yet he wasn’t as sharp in the defense. There should be a nice balance in order to stop the rival from getting any advantages. Having learned his lesson, this shouldn’t happen again.
Midfield
RCM: Luka Modrić
Marco Asensio was the creative force in his absence. With a spectacular goal from box to box, he reminded everybody of the player we saw earlier in the season. Nevertheless, the #19 certainly will start.
CM: Casemiro
Modrić does lend a hand and it was very clear on Thursday. The #14 tried to destruct all the opponent’s advances, yet he can’t do it all by himself. He did well and even forced the penalty that gave Ramos his moment.
LCM: Toni Kroos
He’s really not the same without Luka Modrić on the other side to help him out. It wasn’t until Mateo Kovačić came in that the control of the game shifted towards Los Blancos. He was really active with the ball, though.
Attack
RW: Lucas Vázquez
His return from injury wasn’t as triumphant as expected. He still had his persistent and fighting nature with him, but it couldn’t translate into good attacking contributions. Maybe the mental boost from the tie will motivate him.
ST: Karim Benzema
Álvaro Morata didn’t take advantage of his opportunity. Sevilla ran a tight ship that blocked the attackers quite well. It had to be Benzema the one to come in and keep his fellow countryman’s record undamaged.
LW: Cristiano Ronaldo
Missing two games against his favorite victim probably wasn’t easy on him. His teammates will hope he’s saved those goals for Sunday. It’ll be smarter if Real scores early and puts the rival in a tough position rather than the other way around.
