Opposition analysis: Real Madrid next up in Champions League | OneFootball

Over 4,000 supporters to cheer us on in Spain

A 360-degree video screen, a pitch that can be retracted and moved back into place at will and a closable roof - those are some of the features awaiting our boys as they take to the recently renovated Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday – shortly before 21:00 CET – in our seventh UEFA Champions League clash of the season.

15 time European champions

Our Red Bulls are facing the strongest possible opposition - Real Madrid have been crowned European champions more than any other side, as regular winners of the Champions League and its predecessor, the European Cup. All five of the first five editions of the continental cup were won by Real, after all, from its debut in 1955/56. The royal touch has shown in the honours' list, having come from King Alfonso XIII, who officially renamed Madrid Football Club by Royal Decree in 1920.

71 domestic titles

There is one thing that still rankles in the lively Spanish capital - that the most successful club in the world have never won a league, cup and European Cup treble. There is no faulting the coach for that - with Carlo Ancelotti among the most successful coaches in the world, winning the Champions League seven times (five times as a coach). He prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation, although after two stinging defeats against Barcelona in the past month, media reports suggest he may be planning a tactical adaptation.

The Italian might also be forced into changing the personnel - with Austrian international star David Alaba finally back after a lengthy knee injury, making the Supercup squad and in with a chance of a comeback against our side for Los Blancos - or Los Merengues, as some call them. That second nickname comes from a radio commentator who once remarked on the similarity of the team in their famous white kit to meringue.

Hosts also under pressure

Kylian Mbappe & Co have plenty to play for on Monday. As 20th in the UEFA Champions League table, they are just two points ahead of the positions that spell an early exit. They are four points behind the top eight (which would mean direct qualification for the last 16) with two matches to play. We clearly travel to Madrid as underdogs - but the hosts will have to improve their woeful record on Wednesdays - losing three out of four competitive matches held on the day this season.

Full away support

Our boys will be able to count on the support of their fans at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Over 4,000 supporters will be there to support us, with the away sector fully sold out! The key info for those travelling to support us can be found here.