Real Madrid travel to France for their final Champions League pool phase fixture against Brest, knowing their path to the knockout stage is already set—but not without obstacles. The reigning champions have struggled for consistency in Europe, suffering defeats to Lille, Liverpool, and Milan.
Though a commanding 5-1 win over RB Salzburg last week secured their place in the play-offs, they now face an arduous extra hurdle to reach the last 16.
While Madrid have underwhelmed, Brest have stunned on their maiden Champions League journey. The Ligue 1 side, sitting three places above Los Blancos in the standings, have already booked their spot in the next phase. Despite a setback against Shakhtar Donetsk last time out, they remain one of the competition’s biggest surprises.
Carlo Ancelotti will be without Vinícius Júnior, suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the campaign. That could see Madrid field the same attacking quartet from their weekend victory over Valladolid.
Defensively, Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão remain out, while Eduardo Camavinga is expected back next month. David Alaba could return to the starting lineup, with Lucas Vázquez and Ferland Mendy likely to feature.
For Madrid, this game is about more than points, it’s about momentum.
