Real Madrid missing three players for RB Leipzig contest

Both Courtois and Militao are on course to return from ACL injuries before the end of April, but Alaba will not play again until next season, having suffered a serious knee injury of his own towards the end of last year.

Jude Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger both missed out against Leipzig in the first leg due to injury, but the pair have since returned to action and are in the squad for the European contest.

The team did not suffer any fresh issues against Valencia in La Liga at the weekend, with all five of the substitutions that occurred at Mestalla proving to be tactical decisions.

Real Madrid will bring an advantage into the second leg of their last-16 contest with RB Leipzig, having recorded a 1-0 victory in Germany on February 13, with Brahim Diaz netting the only goal of the contest.

"We are facing an important opportunity to continue in a special competition. We have to get our best version because, although we have a small advantage, the fixture is not over," head coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

Aurelien Tchouameni started in the middle of the defence against Valencia despite Nacho being available, but Ancelotti has said that the Spaniard was suffering with "some discomfort".

"I have some doubts about the eleven and I'm not going to give clues. Tchouameni and Rüdiger's pairing was because Nacho had some discomfort. Now Nacho is fine and has possibilities (of starting)," said the manager.

"Talking about the season today is complicated. So far we have done very well but we are missing a lot. When the end arrives, we will make an evaluation. So far, I can't reproach my team for anything.

"The key point of my management is that I have very good players. They want to learn, improve and be part of this club and that is the most important thing. They give their everything to execute what I ask of them to their best ability.

"We can improve in the transitions. In the first leg, [Andriy] Lunin made good stops but we have to prevent them from reaching our area because they are very effective.

"Obviously we know that we can't be overconfident. We have evaluated the match of the first leg and I think we are prepared to show the improvements. At the defensive level, we suffered because it is a very fast team in the transitions. Rudiger is back and he's going to help us."

Real Madrid will switch their attention back to La Liga after Wednesday's European clash, with Celta Vigo visiting Bernabeu in Spain's top flight this weekend.

Real Madrid squad vs. RB Leipzig:

Lunin, Kepa, Fran; Carvajal, Nacho, Vazquez, F Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy; Bellingham, Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Guler; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim