Leipzig vs Real Madrid Champions League round of 16 first leg preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, possible line-ups

Leipzig and Real Madrid meet in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday 13 February.

Where to watch Leipzig vs Real Madrid on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.

What do you need to know?

Real Madrid have been champions of Europe 14 times, but know from experience that Leipzig is not an easy place to visit. The sides were paired in the 2022/23 group stage, Carlo Ancelotti's side winning 2-0 in Spain thanks to late goals from Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio.

However, Marco Rose's team struck twice from set pieces in the opening 20 minutes of the reverse fixture and went on to win 3-2. As Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois put it: "We came out a bit dozy, lacking intensity and Leipzig made us pay." Leipzig boss Rose added: "It was a brilliant evening for Leipzig. I'm happy that the boys believed in themselves and rewarded themselves."

Starting line-ups

Leipzig: Gulácsi; Simakan, Klostermann, Orbán, Raum; Olmo, Henrichs, Schlager, Simons; Openda, Šeško
Misses next match if booked: Henrichs, Simakan

Real Madrid: Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Tchouameni, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga, Brahim Díaz; Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo
Misses next match if booked: Bellingham, Camavinga

Squad changes

Leipzig
In: El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Eljif Elmas, Leopold Zingerle
Out: Emil Forsberg, Lennart Johanns, Tino Kaufmann, Fabio Carvalho, Timo Werner

Real Madrid
In: None
Out: None

Form guide

Leipzig
Form: DWLLLD
Most recent result: Augsburg 2-2 Leipzig, 10/02, German Bundesliga
German Bundesliga table

Real Madrid
Form: WDWWWLW
Most recent result: Real Madrid 4-0 Girona, 10/02, Spanish La Liga
Spanish La Liga table

Expert predictions

Judith Tuffentsammer, Leipzig reporter
Leipzig's inconsistent league form this season has continued since the end of the group stage and they have only won two of their last seven Bundesliga games. However, their best games this season have been against Manchester City, despite both ending in defeats. Additionally, key players Willi Orbán and Dani Olmo are finally back after missing much of the first half of the season, which should give the team an additional boost in the Champions League.

Graham Hunter, Real Madrid reporter
Madrid have shown awesome resilience, character and solution-finding ability while making light of what should have been a debilitating long-term injury list. Dominant domestically, Madrid traditionally add a turbo jet of hunger and intensity when this magical competition comes around again with the start of the knockout phase. Jude Bellingham's debut season has been immense and Vinícius Júnior has returned from injury producing world-class football, but this is a squad in which everyone steps up when called upon.

What the coaches say

Marco Rose, Leipzig coach: "Real Madrid have developed outstandingly this season and have become one of the strongest teams in Europe. They are in exceptionally good shape in all areas. They know what it means to play in the Champions League and win it, too. We know about their qualities but we're not a bad team ourselves, and we have great footballers in our ranks. We will give everything and look for our opportunities to have a good start in the tie."

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach: "We are playing well, and are motivated and excited to return to the Champions League, a competition we like a lot. We are up against an opponent with great quality, one that plays with a lot of intensity. We must be at our very best, both defensively and offensively. Leipzig are a team that competes, that fights, that has good individuals. They were 2-0 up against Manchester City in the group stage so clearly they have a lot of quality."

Where is the 2024 Champions League final?

©Getty Images

The best of the best will be crowned on the ultimate stage when the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League season concludes at London's prestigious Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 June.