The UEFA Champions League returns to the Bernabeu on Tuesday as Carlo Ancelotti’s men host Borussia Dortmund in a mouthwatering clash that doubles as a repeat of last season’s final in Wembley.

Less than five months after that 2-0 defeat of the Germans, they meet once again in one of the high-profile fixtures of matchday three. 

Real will be on the back foot after suffering a shocking defeat in Lille on matchday two, but their 1-2 victory at Celta Vigo on Saturday is enough motivation for Tuesday’s clash, and ultimately, a possible win provides the perfect approach for their top-of-the-table clash in the El-Clasico on Sunday.

The Los Blancos boast of an impressive record against Borussia Dortmund and have won seven of the 14 matches played together in Europe, as opposed to Borussia Dortmund’s three victories.

On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund is placed in seventh place in the Bundesliga table currently and is yet to fully find their groove, but they’re coming into this tie after a 2-1 defeat of FC St. Pauli on Friday margin over the weekend and will be confident ahead of this fixture.

Borussia Dortmund have played seven games at the Santiago Bernabeu without a victory in the UEFA Champions League – the joint-highest tally by a team in the competition, and Tuesday’s encounter will supposedly mark an emotional one for Dortmund’s boss – Nuri Sahin, who leads his side against his former manager, Carlo Ancelotti. 

Real Madrid have shown a stunning improvement recently, and considering the fine form of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Júnior; it is expected that the Spanish side will emerge as winners on Tuesday, while Borussia Dortmund’s poor form implies they will have to fight tooth and nail to stand a chance in Spain.