Real Madrid coach Mourinho don warn im players say nobody dey untouchable, and the Champions League match against RB Leipzig tonight by 9pm must come before the El Clásico against Barcelona for Camp Nou. El Clásico na only four days away, but Mourinho tell im squad ‘Carpe diem’ — make dem live for the present and focus on the next game.
Real Madrid dey Europe in strong form: dem beat Inter Milan 2-1 and AS Roma 4-3, so dem get six points from two games. Even though dem dey six points behind Barcelona for La Liga, Mourinho talk say immediate target no be to win title sharp-sharp, but to qualify early so dem no go face two play-off games wey go tire mind.
Vinícius Junior na one big focus before kickoff. The Brazilian dey serve four-game suspension for La Liga, so Champions League na im last chance to gather match practice before international break. Im form don drop; e only score one goal this season across all competitions. Against AS Roma last week e play weak and dem remove am for 58th minute, but im replacement Endrick shine and help the team win 4-3. When press ask Mourinho about Vinícius status, e answer strong: ‘Na only the club crest dey untouchable. I no like the idea say one player no fit touch. Wetin make player untouchable no be captain band or fame, na wetin e do for pitch.’ Even with that, dem expect Vinícius to start on left wing against Leipzig.
Kylian Mbappé dey near historic milestone. Im scoring rate this season na 11 goals in 11 games. After 100 Champions League matches, e don score 72 goals and provide 25 assists, making 97 goal involvements. If e score or set up three more goals against Leipzig, e go pass 100 mark after 101 games and equal Lionel Messi record.
Arda Güler go continue as playmaker after im outstanding performance in the 4-1 win over Sevilla last weekend. Im movement allow Fede Valverde push forward on right wing. Real Madrid still dey miss Rodrygo with knee injury, Ferland Mendy with hip injury and Raúl Asencio with leg injury, but Mourinho get squad depth to adjust.
For RB Leipzig under coach Martin Demichelis, the game no come with best conditions. Dem lose Champions League opener 4-1 to Como, but bounce back to beat PSV Eindhoven 1-0. However, for Bundesliga dem collect 6-1 thrashing from Bayern. Real Madrid last La Liga game na 4-1 win over Sevilla.
