MADRID, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid has a vital Champions League match on Wednesday at home to RB Salzburg, knowing that anything but a win could jeopardize the club's future in the tournament.

Madrid's win away to Atalanta before Christmas lifted Carlo Ancelotti's side to 20th in the 36-team group, but with just nine points from the first six group games, Los Blancos are still in danger of not finishing in the top 24 to ensure a place in the play-offs for a spot in the knockout stages.

With Madrid needing a miracle to finish in the top eight and ensure direct qualification to the next round, it has to focus on winning at home to Salzburg and then away to Brest next week to finish as high as possible in the group to ensure the easiest possible tie in the play-offs.

Ancelotti will be without Eduardo Camavinga for Wednesday's match after the midfielder injured his thigh in last week's Copa del Rey game at home to Celta Vigo, and he joins long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao on the sidelines.

Vinicius Jr should return to the side after his suspension in La Liga this weekend, although that gives Ancelotti a difficult decision to make. Kylian Mbappe impressed with two goals against Las Palmas on Sunday, playing in his favorite position on the left, so Ancelotti has to decide whether to return Vinicius to the wing or leave Mbappe in a role where he is clearly happier.

David Alaba returned after a year out with injury in the closing minutes against Las Palmas, and the Austrian defender will probably have more game time against Salzburg, which has conceded 18 goals in five games in the competition.

Girona also plays on Wednesday, visiting AC Milan and looking for a miracle to lift it into the top 24.

It has been a difficult debut in Europe for Michel Sanchez's side with five defeats from six games, but a win in Milan and another at home to Arsenal next week could still see the team force an unlikely play-off appearance. ■