Real Madrid will look to finish the Champions League group stages, which they have dominated, on a winning note when they travel to FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night. Carlo Ancelotti's men are the runaway leaders in Group B and have already ensured progress into the last 16 as winners. Copenhagen cannot qualify for the knockout rounds, but will aim for a third-place finish and with it a place in the Europa League.
The second spot is a straight battle between Galatasaray and Juventus, with the latter only needing a draw to join Real in the pre-quarters.
"We are delighted to be sure of a place in the next round as group winners," Ancelotti said. "I know there are two Italian coaches [Roberto Mancini [Galatasaray] and Antonio Conte [Juventus]] battling for second place, but I have no preference as to who goes through. I am only focused on Real Madrid and this match. "Copenhagen are a good team with excellent organisation and very strong at home. The results they have managed here in Copenhagen against Juventus and Galatasaray have been very impressive."
Those two results, a 1-1 draw against Juventus, and a 1-0 win over Galatasaray, have not been enough to offset the Danish side's poor away form, which has seen them lose all three of their games.
Real Madrid eased to a 4-0 victory in the reverse tie at the Bernabeu, but Copenhagen manager Stale Solbakken is hoping the Spanish giants will take their eye off the ball a little with qualification already sealed.
"It could both be an advantage or a disadvantage that Real Madrid have already qualified," Solbakken said. "They can play without the pressure of needing a win but it could also mean that they lose a bit of concentration. Perhaps it is a small advantage for us, since they are only human.
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