Real Madrid will again be without the services of Ferland Mendy for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Chelsea at Bernabeu.
The 27-year-old had only just returned from a thigh injury before it was confirmed that he had suffered a calf issue, meaning more time on the sidelines for the France international.
Mendy is Real Madrid's only absentee at this moment in time, though, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti therefore able to name a strong squad for the quarter-final first leg with Chelsea in Madrid.
Los Blancos will be bidding to bounce back from their 3-2 loss to Villarreal in La Liga when they take to the field for this match, with the likes of Eder Militao, Federico Valverde, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal and Toni Kroos likely to return to the XI.
© Reuters
"We have to think it's a 180-minute game and try to do well tomorrow. It's not decisive, but we can help manage the second leg better," Real Madrid boss Ancelotti told reporters during his press conference.
"We're looking forward to getting back in the Champions League and experiencing a magical night at the Bernabeu. We have to take advantage of the fact that we play the first game at home to take advantage.
"I think we have played well at home and away. Last year we did well in every game and deserved to win the title."
Real Madrid have already knocked one English side out of the Champions League this season, beating Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate in the last-16 stage of the competition.
The capital giants are bidding to make it back-to-back European Cups this term following their success last year, and a strong result on Wednesday would lead them nicely into the second leg at Stamford Bridge next week.
© Reuters
Ancelotti also paid tribute to the spirit in the group when asked about the partnership between Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema in the final third of the field.
"It's a group that are good with each other. They know when to joke and when to be serious. For me, managing this squad is very easy," said the Italian.
"Everyone recognises that I'm fantastic at management. But there are other things that show that this team is working well. If we win the cup, this team will have won every title in two years, something teams never do.
"Right now he (Vinicius) is unstoppable. He goes on and on. He has spectacular continuity. What he does, he does every day. He always trains at his best."
Vinicius has scored 21 goals and registered 15 assists in 44 appearances at club level this season, while Benzema has 25 goals and six assists in 32 appearances.
Real Madrid squad vs. Chelsea:
Courtois, Lunin, Lopez; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Vazquez, Rudiger; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mariano
Matt Law
