Atenas and AEK await Real Madrid for Champions League matchday 4

Real Madrid C.F.

The opponent is the right one to do it. Aside from sitting 29th in Europe, they come into the game on the back of two straight defeats and are 4th in the Greek Super League, seven points behind the Panathinaikos leader, with a game in hand. Playing at home is their biggest weapon and the main problem the Real Madrid will have to deal with.

Two teams at opposite ends

On the pitch, there is no comparison. The Real Madrid were favourites when the ties were drawn, and they are even more so today. Injuries have, for now, stopped being an issue for the Whites. More importantly, they are once again a gritty side, full of commitment and character. The quality was already there, and Mourinho has once again brought out the best in his players. The dressing-room management is working and results are starting to come. If he can manage the matter of Vinicius in the same way, there is nothing else to ask for.

Now is the time to see some of the less regulars; Mourinho announced it in the press conference in Santander. "There will be 3 or 4 changes", the Portuguese coach said. And the coach has started to keep his word: Arda Güler and Aurélien Tchouaméni are ruled out of the Champions League match against AEK Athens due to rest. Neither will be available for the European fixture, a technical decision that will allow both players to recover after accumulating minutes.

"There are some players who played today and won't play on Wednesday. And in that sense, taking out players who aren't going to play on Wednesday... it wouldn't make much sense. I give you an example: Tchouaméni doesn't play on Wednesday".

Courtois will defend the goal. Valverde is still carrying a knock; he did not travel over the weekend and, although it seems that this time he might, the most likely scenario is that he will be on the bench. Trent was the surprise on Sunday. He did well, but everything points to Dumfries taking his place this time. Konaté has plenty of chances to be rested due to the accumulation of minutes and Rüdiger would be his replacement. Huijsen and Cucurella would complete the defensive line.

The confirmed absence of Tchouaméni opens the door for Camavinga. If the Portuguese coach sticks with the idea that in midfield you have to combine control with play, Bernardo Silva should start in what would be his third consecutive start. Another option that looks far less viable is Thiago Pitarch, who has yet to make an appearance.

Another of the changes that was already being talked about is Vinicius. The Brazilian is fresh and could be a good opportunity to show that he can make things very difficult for Diomande. In addition, Arda Güler's absence due to rest clears the way for Endrick, who gains ground to occupy the right side of the attack. Mourinho will have to reorganise his forward line without the Turkish international, one of the pieces he has been using most frequently.

Bellingham in the number 10 role is almost a must. The Englishman is in excellent form and physically he does not look like he needs a breather at all. At least not now. Mbappé played the full 90 minutes at El Sardinero and could be the first match of the season in which he does not feature. Carlos Espí —his natural replacement— has more than proved that the Real Madrid shirt does not feel too big for him, in either La Liga or the Champions League.

The Helens started strongly, but they have racked up 4 defeats in their last 5 matches. The latest came in the derby against Panathinaikos. In Greece, people are already talking about a "crisis" in Marko Nikolic's team, so the Real Madrid visit arrives at the worst possible moment. The Serbian coach will look to surprise the Whites on the counterattack and set up a very tough, physical match. And watch out for set pieces. The centre-backs Harold Moukoudi and Filipe Relvas are key in their system. Majer and Marin are other standout players. Creation and distribution of the game go through their boots. But without a doubt, the former Real Madrid man Luka Jovic and Varga, partners up front, are the star figures of the AEK. They will play together at the top of the attack.

It is the fifth time their paths have crossed in European competition. The record, although favourable for the Spanish club, reflects the "hard nut to crack" that the Athenians can be. They have faced each other on 4 occasions and Madrid won in the first two... but drew in the last two. That said, in the 22/23 season.

Possible line-ups for AEK Athens and Real Madrid

AEK Athens: Brignoli; Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, Pilios; Vitális, Marín; Majer, Koita, Varga and Jovic.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Dumfries, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Cucurella; Camavinga, Bernardo Silva; Endrick, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappé.

Tchouaméni and Arda Güler's rest absences force Mourinho to make changes to his starting XI, although they also offer an opportunity for players like Camavinga and Endrick to stake their claim on a new European night.

When and where to watch the match between Real Madrid and AEK Athens

The match will be played on 4 November at 18:45 at the Allwyn Arena and will be shown live on television for Movistar Plus subscribers, via the canal La Liga TV Bar de Movistar Plus.