Real Madrid Ronaldo
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo during a training session ahead of the Champions League match against FC Copenhagen, October 1Reuters

The Champions League game against Galatasaray was perhaps the only time this season that Real Madrid have played up to their full potential.

A ruthless second half saw them dismantle the Turkish side 6-1 on Matchday One, and Carlo Ancelotti will be praying that the real Real Madrid side show up at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, after their disappointing and stinging loss to Atletico Madrid at the weekend.

"The Atletico match was no good," Ancelotti said. "We need to react, to improve our results and performances. I feel very confident about my players and I'm sure we are going to respond well. Tomorrow's match is important.

"We started well in the UEFA Champions League so tomorrow's (Wednesday's) match takes on a different meaning -- it is not just about keeping on a good path in this competition but about changing attitude and spirit."

There is no better match to probably do that than against Copenhagen, who are expected to comfortably finish bottom of the group that also consists of Italian champions Juventus.

As much as Ancelotti and the rest of the Madrid hierarchy might like to say it, they do miss the creativity of Mesut Ozil. Isco is brilliant and will be a world-beater, but Ozil creates and sees those passes that very few people in the world can.

And with the way that Karim Benzema is playing at the moment, Real could also do with a Gonzalo Higuain. It might be time for Ancelotti to give Alvaro Morata a go from the start and see how the Spanish youngster reacts to the responsibility.

"Morata has all the attributes to play centre-forward for Real Madrid, which is why he is in the squad," Ancelotti said. "I understand why our supporters are angry. They want to see good football and our recent games have not been good enough. But I need to support all my players at this moment, even those that are not in peak form.

"The team are not playing well because we have changed a lot of things but they are going to play better soon, that's for sure. I have a very good squad. They have to play better but this is my problem and I'm going to fix it."

Team News: Real Madrid will be without Xabi Alonso and Marcelo, with Ancelotti left with a few decisions to make regarding his starting XI.

FC Copenhagen might miss the services of veteran defender Olof Mellberg, who was forced out of the weekend's game with a suspected concussion.

Key Men: Real Madrid: Has to be Cristiano Ronaldo of course, with the Portuguese looking for a second straight hat-trick. Benzema might also be keen to appease the fans after being booed in the loss to Atletico Madrid.

FC Copenhagen: Goalkeeper Johan Wiland and the rest of the back four will need to be on their toes to stop Cristiano Ronaldo and co.

Where to watch

The match is set for a 12.15 a.m. (IST, Thursday) start with it set for a live telecast on Ten HD.

Expected lineups: Real Madrid: Diego Lopez; Arbeloa, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Coentrao; Khedira, Modric; Bale, Isco, Ronaldo; Benzema.

FC Copenhagen: Wiland; Jacobsen, Margreitter, Kristensen, Bengtsson; Delaney, Toutouh, Bolanos; Braaten, Jorgensen, Adi.

Prediction: 4-0 to Real Madrid