Real Madrid bid to seal last-16 spot in Warsaw

The Whites will secure qualification if they overcome Legia in tomorrow's behind-closed-doors clash and Borussia Dortmund see off Sporting CP at home.

The European champions return to Champions League action a fortnight on from their last game in the competition, and they do so against the same opposition: Legia Warszawa. After having now faced the three teams in the group, Real Madrid prepare to kick off the second part of this phase of the tournament in their first visit to the Wojska Polskiego stadium in a game to be played behind closed doors.

The Whites will be bidding to put a further three points on the board in their battle for top spot with Borussia Dortmund (the two sides are currently joint-top) and seal their spot in the last-16. Both teams will secure their places in the next round if they win their respective games.

Third-ever game behind closed doors

This fixture marks Real Madrid's third-ever game to be have played behind closed doors in Europe's elite club competition. On the previous two occasions in which they've played in empty stadiums, the Whites have emerged victorious. The first such experience came back in September 1987 against Napoli at the Santiago Bernabéu, when the hosts prevailed 2-0. Madrid again played behind closed doors in December 2004 against Roma at the Stadio Olimpicio, where they ran out 3-0 winners.

REAL MADRID ARE ON A 26-GAME UNBEATEN RUN

Real Madrid are currently on a 26-game unbeaten run, having managed to avoid defeat in 15 games so far this term (10 in LaLiga, three in the Champions League, one in the UEFA Super Cup and another in the Copa del Rey) and 11 games last term (seven in LaLiga and the final four games en route to the Undécima). No other side from across the five major leagues are able to match the madridistas' undefeated streak. Only German outfit, RB Leipzig, are unbeaten this season after their first 10 games.

On-song Cristiano Ronaldo

Speaking in the build-up, Zinedine Zidane stated that, "We respect Legia and will have to be focused from the off". The Frenchman has named a 19-man squad for the clash. His squad includes youth-team player Álvaro Tejero and Cristiano Ronaldo, who has notched 98 goals in European competitions and comes into this game having hit a hat-trick in the LaLiga encounter against Alavés.

In need of points 

The Polish champions have lost each of their three group stage games to date and defeat to Real Madrid would end their hopes of making the last-16, whilst a draw would keep them in with a chance, as long as Borussia Dortmund are beaten.

A return to Poland

This game sees Real Madrid return to Poland 12 years on from their last visit. The last time the Whites travelled to Poland was to face Wisła Kraków in the 2004/05 Champions League third qualifying round, a game that they won 2-0. Prior to that fixture, Madrid had played two previous matches in Poland, both of which were in the European Cup and ended in victory: a 2-1 win against Stal Mielec in 1976 and a 1-0 triumph over Górnik Zabrze in 1988.