Although he admits there are big contrasts between our most recent game, the hefty win at Southampton, and the challenge of overcoming our Champions League deficit in the Bernabeu
As usual you do not want to pick out individuals after you have hit another Premier League club for six, but there were a few standouts even from the high bar the entire team set. I do go on about Kai Havertz a bit, but his recent record is magnificent and there is no doubt in my mind that the player we were always hoping to see is now right in front of us doing an extraordinary job week in week out.
There were many positive comments about Timo after his flying start to the game at Southampton and Thomas will be seriously tempted to start him in this one to stretch the game.
If Kai can hold the ball up, which he does exceptionally well under pressure, then Timo breaking from just behind is a great out ball in Madrid.
It is not a stick-on however and there might still be the temptation to try the 3-5-2 formation that worked so well against Real last season.
It is doubly tempting because in the home game this season we were overrun in midfield when N’Golo Kante and Jorginho regularly found themselves outnumbered and up against three top-class midfielders
Whoever gets the nod, and boy didn’t the boy Mount do incredibly well at the weekend too, I anticipate Mateo Kovacic will be in the starting line-up.
He pipped everyone for my man of the match against the Saints at the weekend, in the second half particularly. His energy levels as well as his skill are exactly what Carlo Ancelotti does not want to see his side have to cope with.
Yes there may be a bit of a difference between what you face at St Mary’s on a Southampton off day at the end of the season in the league and the Bernabeu with Real determined to get back what they consider is their trophy
Even so, Kova looked imperious and a similar performance will upset the locals on and off the field, particularly with his history at their club.
It is the sort of challenge he relishes and although this is an unusual task for the Blues, I think everyone else will be precisely the same.
