Line-ups Debate: Do we go with three at the back?

I PREDICT THREE IN THE MIDDLE

Sometimes, you can be spoiled for choice and that is seemingly the case for Ralf Rangnick in the centre-back department, with Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane all in a great place heading into our huge European night in Madrid. Could you really leave one of them out?

Lindelof and Maguire were both excellent in Sunday’s stormy victory at Elland Road, while Varane has been playing his best football as a Red in 2022 – plus, he has faced Atletico more than any other opponent in his illustrious career. That’s why I’m anticipating a change in formation from our interim manager, who had made it clear he isn’t adverse to mixing it up when the scenario demands it.

A back three could provide a solid base to build from and might also help us to control the tempo, which would be crucial in the cauldron of the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. When you’re away from home in the first leg, a clean sheet is so, so important to your chances of qualification, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Lindelof-Maguire-Varane triumvirate in that starting line-up.

– Mark Froggatt