FC Basel will perform at the Santiago Bernabeu without pressure. Seen as the underdogs, all they can do is to enjoy the 90 minutes today and possibly take advantage of the Galacticos’ current struggles. The Swiss contenders are keen to match their surprising victory over Chelsea in the Champions League group stages, last season. Head coach Paulo Sousa explained in an interview with UEFA.com:
“Despite the size of a club like Real Madrid, bad results can happen. I am sure they will solve their problems, but I hope that doesn't happen [on Tuesday].”
He added:
“Playing against the best will enable us to reach another level. I need to adjust some things but we must also maintain our identity. We are focused on the game and all the players want to be involved. This is a fantastic opportunity to perform on this stage. We will enjoy it.”
For Real Madrid, enjoyment is not what they will be after. Following two consecutive defeats in La Liga, Los Blancos need to turn tables around. While angry Madridistas blame Florentino Perez’s transfer policy, the pressure is on Carlo Ancelotti to find a winning formula. The Italian boss has promised to keep faith in Iker Casillas who has conceded eight goals in five games this season.
In fact, Real Madrid have lost three out of their last four matches in all competitions despite the huge amount of money spent to bring in stars like James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos at the Bernabeu. Time is not on the side of Los Blancos.
“I feel like a coach who has to fix things,” Ancelotti avowed at the post-match conference on Monday.
“This match comes at the right time to show a response and demonstrate what a good team we are. It's important to start this competition well. I think we will be competitive and we will try to win it again.”
To ensure that their fans stay by their side, the team must bounce back and they must do so immediately.
“Fans watch what happens on the pitch. If we play well they support us and if we don't they ask for more. It's to be expected,” Carlo Ancelotti reminded.
Victory over FC Basel is a must for the hosts.
Real Madrid vs FC Basel team sheets
Real Madrid's lineup: Casillas, Nacho, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Modrić, Kroos, James Rodríguez, Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema
Real Madrid's bench: Keylor Navas; Varane, Coentrao, Chicharito, Arbeloa, Isco, Illarra
FC Basel's lineup: Vaclik; Samuel, Schär, Suchy; Safari, Zuffi, Frei, Elneny, Xhaka; Gonzalez, Streller.
FC Basel's bench: Vailati (GK), Aliji, Delgado, Kakitani, Calla, Gashi, Embolo.
Where to watch the match – live streaming info, TV listings, start times
Watch Real Madrid vs FC Basel on Tuesday, September 16, 2014:
- In USA at 14:45 EST: Fox Sports West, Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports Net, Fox Sports Southwest, Fox Sports GO,WATCH ESPN, Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Soccer 2Go, Fox Sports Detroit, Fox Sports Ohio, Fox Sports Midwest
- In UK at 19:45 BST: Sky Sports 1/HD, Sky Go Extra, NOW TV, Sky Go
- In Canada at 14:45 EST: Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet World
- In Spain at 20:45 CEST: TVE La 1, TV3
- In Switzerland at 20:45 CEST: RTS Deux, TeleClub Sport Live, RSI La 2, SRF zwei, RTS Sport, TeleClub Sport 3
Visit the Real Madrid-FC Basel match page for worldwide live broadcast listings.
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