Real Madrid look to complete swift qualification against lifeless Legia
In
2016/17, Real Madrid are a team of spurts; be it their rampant start to
the campaign that kept up the winning streak from last year or the
self-doubting spate of draws that struck in late September.
Luckily
for Zinedine Zidane, that stalemate spell has given way to a series of
confident thrashings in recent weeks - despite the absence of Luka
Modric, Casemiro, and Sergio Ramos - as Real Betis, Cultural Leonesa,
Alaves, and Legia Warsaw were all put to the sword.
It's the
latter who are on the agenda once again on Wednesday night in the return
fixture of their Champions League Group F campaign, although the
circumstances are somewhat unique.
Polish Army Stadium will be empty due to a UEFA stadium closure order, depriving Legia of their vociferous fans that coach Jacek Magiera remarked as their life and soul.
Of
course, for Real it merely increases the need for a professional job as
group stage qualification will be guaranteed with a win and a Sporting
CP defeat in their trip to Borussia Dortmund.
Four teams have
already passed through to the last-16 with two games to play and another
four are very capable of joining them tonight.
A couple of
questions are still floating around the Blancos dressing room, however,
not least the debate over Alvaro Morata's inclusion, most likely at the
expense of Karim Benzema after Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick last
time out.
Also of interest will be the partnership of Nacho and
Raphael Varane in central defence, one that needs to thrive from the
outset given the upcoming Madrid derby, with the trip to Poland planned
as being a simple stroll in comparison.
A
knock to his thigh, the French midfielder looks as if he may miss
France's upcoming international matches, as well as leaving Jose
Mourinho short-handed in an already thin position. 
