The defending European champions have been in ravishing form lately and should they triumph in the match against Basel on Wednesday, Madrid will equal the club's record winning run. The Spanish giants have already confirmed their place in the last 16 of the competition and it would take an unimaginable Basel victory by four our more goals for the Swiss side to have any chance of toppling Madrid from the top of the table.
Carlo Ancelotti's side will be full of confidence when it takes field on Wednesday having recorded victory in all of the last 14 matches in all competitions. The Italian tactician who has reportedly begun talks on a new contract at the club has rubbished reports that he will be resting key players for Wednesday's encounter but has claimed that a few players will be given a much deserved break.
"The team will not change much from the game on Saturday against Eibar," Ancelotti said.
"I have some doubts about the full-backs, who are a bit tired. But in front of that the same players will start. It is true we are qualified, but we need to play well and ensure we win the game. The idea is to play the best team possible, to play the best game possible."
The Italian tactician further commented on the injuries in the squad with midfielder Khedira as well as Pepe not travelling with the squad.
"Khedira could not travel as before the game against Eibar he had an issue with his hip," he said. "That problem means he could not train since the weekend. So we have preferred, like with Pepe, to leave him at Valdebebas to prepare so he can be ready for next game.
Basel on the other hand can book their place in the next round of the competition should they get the better of Real Madrid, this should be coupled with a Liverpool defeat at the hands of Ludogorets. The Swiss giants will be in a buoyant mood ahead of the fixture having recorded a victory in their last five matches in all competitions. The side has been further boosted with captain Marco Streller extending his contract at the club with youngster Breel Embolo also having followed suit by putting pen to paper on a new deal which will keep him at the club till 2017. Basel will however be without the services of the suspended Serey Die, Madrid on the other hand will have to do without the services of Croatian international Luka Modric who picked up an injury while on international duty.
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