Posted On Wednesday, 3rd April 2013
Michael Essien starts for Real Madrid against Galatasaray
Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has been named in Real Madrid’s starting lineup for their Champions League game against Galatasaray on Wednesday night.
The 30-year-old was preferred by coach Jose Mourinho at right-back with natural full-back Alvaro Arbeloa on the bench for the first leg match of the quarter final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Essien thus forms part of a defensive quartet which includes; Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Fabio Contrao.
The Ghana international’s power is thought to be the reason behind the choice of playing him at right-back to help stop the Galatasaray’s strong attacking duo of Didier Drogba and Burak Yilmaz.
The match sees the on loan Chelsea player reunite with his old Blues buddy Drogba who joined the Turkish giants in January.
Both players were integral to Chelsea’s success during almost the last decade which had coach Jose Mourinho at the helm at a point in time at Stamford Bridge.
Real Madrid’s starting lineup against Galatasaray:
Diego López, Essien, Varane, Ramos, Coentrão, Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Özil, Di María, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema.