By Milcah Tanimu
Real Madrid stands on the brink of securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive season as they host Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabéu with a one-goal advantage.
Brahim Díaz’s decisive goal in Germany positioned Madrid favorably to extend their impressive Champions League record, aiming for their 20th quarterfinal appearance and a record-extending 39th time in the European Cup’s last eight.
Having maintained a perfect record in this season’s competition, Madrid topped Group C with six wins, showcasing their dominance with an eight-point lead over Napoli.
Leipzig, meanwhile, qualified for the knockout rounds by finishing second in Group G behind Manchester City, securing their fourth appearance in five seasons. Despite their loss to Madrid in the first leg, Leipzig remains determined to overturn the deficit and progress.
While Leipzig has struggled in previous knockout ties, Madrid boasts an impressive track record, winning 11 of their last 13 contests at this stage.
Key match facts highlight Madrid’s historical advantage over Leipzig, including their strong home record and formidable attacking prowess. Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s standout performance in the first leg adds to Leipzig’s challenge of finding the net.
However, Leipzig’s young striker Benjamin Sesko poses a threat, aiming to capitalize on Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities and become the youngest visiting player to score in a Champions League knockout stage game at the Santiago Bernabéu.
As the two teams prepare for the decisive second leg, the clash promises to be an intense battle between Champions League aspirants, with both sides vying for a coveted quarterfinal berth.
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