MADRID, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti looks set to make changes as his side prepares to entertain struggling Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Real Madrid sneaked into the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw at home to RB Leipzig, but was lucky to get through as the Germans were the better side and almost took advantage of a conservative team selection by Ancelotti, who started with Vinicius Jr as his only specialist forward on the pitch.

Jude Bellingham's two-game ban for his protests at the end of Madrid's 2-2 draw in Valencia next weekend means Brahim Diaz will start, while other players are also in line to return to the side.

Lucas Vazquez will play at right back to give Dani Carvajal a rest, while Luka Modric comes into midfield and Rodrygo will start in attack, with Aurelian Tchouameni either dropping into central defense for Nacho or down to the subs' bench.

Fran Garcia may also have a chance of starting at left back if Ancelotti chooses not to risk Ferland Mendy, who has had muscle issues this season.

Celta travels to Madrid after a 1-0 win at home to Almeria that eased the pressure just above the relegation zone, with the team coached by Rafa Benitez starting the weekend with a five-point cushion over Cadiz, who currently sits 18th (although this could change if Cadiz end its 23-game winless run and beat Atletico Madrid on Saturday).

The game sees Benitez return to face the club where he began his long coaching career in the Madrid youth systems, before returning for an unsuccessful six-month spell with the first team.

Celta's poor season has put Benitez in the spotlight again and there were rumors that failure to beat Almeria could have seen the self-confessed 'football junkie' sacked and although he survived last weekend, a heavy defeat would put him back into the spotlight.

Benitez's side has the attacking ability to hurt Madrid, with veteran striker Iago Aspas, supported by Jonathan Bamba, Jorgen Strand-Larsen, and the powerful Anastasios Douvikas, however at the Bernabeu the hardest thing is stopping Madrid from scoring and even without Bellingham, that is a big ask. Enditem

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