Real Madrid wants to consolidate its leadership before the break
The whites receive at the top, although with significant losses at the back, an improved Osasuna with the recent Cup final very present
MADRID, 6 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid receives Osasuna this Saturday in the match corresponding to the ninth day of LaLiga EA Sports 2023-2024, a duel to which the whites arrive pushed by their vital victory in the Champions League and with the aim of clinging to the top of the table before the international break, while the Navarrese team, which has accumulated almost two decades without winning at the Bernabéu, wants to confirm its improvement and forget the initial anxiety, with a certain spirit of revenge.
The Santiago Bernabéu (4:15 p.m.) will be the scene of the last match before the second international break of the season, a domestic turning point for meringues and ‘rojillos’, who already met in last year’s Cup final, which fell on the white side. Carlo Ancelotti’s pupils have recovered the cruising speed shown until the fateful derby at the Metropolitano (3-1), which seems to have been just a wake-up call that, however, generated criticism and doubts around the squad and coaching staff. .
But Real Madrid responded with victories and defensive solidity and security, questioned by the defeat against the rojiblancos – they received the same goals in the derby (3) that they had conceded in the previous five rounds. In the last two dates, the whites beat Las Palmas first, with a sober 2-0 at home and in the form of a balm, and Girona, in Montilivi and also without conceding a goal (0-3) to regain a lead – with 21 out of 24 possible points – which they now want to maintain so that their confidence continues to grow.
And this was triggered this Tuesday with the valuable and hard-fought victory in Naples in the Champions League (2-3), with a very complete first half of a serious duel in which the whites demonstrated once again their capacity for resilience. Thus, they receive the ‘rojillos’ after three consecutive victories. “We want to finish this first part of the season well. Tomorrow we will have to do our best to try to get the three points,” Ancelotti assessed about Osasuna.
In the sporting field, and when other coaches stand out, not only the technical ability of the white squad, but also the physical power of a very young midfield, Luka Modric, with hardly any prominence in this start – he has only played 27 minutes in the last three games -, could have his opportunity, to give a rest to Kroos, who is sneaking into the eleven, along with Tchouameni and Camavinga, who could also repeat on the left wing, leaving room for the German or Valverde.
Bellingham, who scored against Naples and has also proven to be vital due to his physical waste in all facets, will be the tip of the diamond, with Vinícius determined to recover his best level and a frustrated Rodrygo and Joselu, author of four goals in the League , they will fight for the other position. However, Ancelotti’s puzzle will be the defense, since only Rüdiger is available as a center back, due to Alaba’s injury and Nacho’s suspension, so Mendy or Tchouameni could occupy that position.
OSASUNA WANTS TO BREAK THE CURSE AT THE BERNABÉU: ALMOST 20 YEARS WITHOUT WINNING
Real Madrid will appeal to a Bernabeú in which a visitor has not won since April, with a chain of 7 wins and 1 draw. Precisely, Osasuna has not won in the Madrid fiefdom since April 2004, adding 13 defeats and 3 draws -2 of them in their last 2 visits-. Thus, those from Jagoba Arrasate, who need a push of this caliber, travel to Chamartín with the intention of putting an end to their lasting curse.
The ‘rojillo’ team faces the great challenge of the Bernabéu with their morale healed after winning (0-2) in the derby against Alavés. A victory that allows calm to come to a team that had not won since the end of August, very hurt after being eliminated in the Conference League qualifier. Thus, they have only won one of the last five League games (3D and 2E), to place themselves in the middle of the table with 10 points.
“In that back and forth, in the exchange of blows, they are comfortable and we have everything to lose, they are lethal. If we add up at the Bernabéu, I will go to the break delighted,” said the ‘rojillo’ coach, who hopes that his team maintain its performance as a visitor – third best team away from home in LaLiga and third highest scorer (8) -, which is sustaining its domestic start.
Osasuna will visit the white fiefdom with the absences of Unai García, Moi Gómez and Mojica, although Arrasate recovers Torró in a midfield that Moncayola and Aimar Oroz are targeting. With Juan Cruz as a replacement for the Colombian full-back, the coach could opt for a double full-back on the right, including Areso and with Rubén Peña as a winger, as in the Copa del Rey final against the whites. Budimir and ‘Chimy’ Ávila, who returns after suspension, have a permanent place, and Rubén García, on the left.
DATASHEET.
–POSIBLE ALIGNMENTS:
REAL MADRID: Kepa; Lucas Vázquez, Carvajal, Rüdiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo and Vinícius.
OSASUNA: Herrera; Rubén Peña, David García, Catena, Juan Cruz; Moncayola, Torró, Oroz; ‘Chimy’ Ávila, Budimir and Rubén García.
–REFEREE: Cuadra Fernández (Balearic Islands).
–Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
–TIME: 16.15/Movistar LaLiga.