La Liga
Real Madrid vs Osasuna Preview
Second placed Real Madrid welcome undefeated Osasuna to the Spanish capital for an exciting mid-week clash as the hosts seek to cement their place at the top of the table.
- Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2019
- Time: 3:00 p.m. (EST)
- Network: beIN Sports, FuboTV
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
- Seating Capacity: 81,044
Real Madrid vs Osasuna Preview
Initially, no one was expecting Osasuna to be a difficult opponent for Los Blancos. However, the side from Pamplona coached by Jagoba Arrasate are without defeat after conceding only three goals since the start of the league.
Furthermore, Los Rojillos impressively held champions Barcelona to a draw at home. Now team captain and defensive midfielder Oier Sanjurjo will seek to replicate the same defensive grit on the road against another big opponent.
Madrid continue to be unpredictable however. Despite avoiding a league defeat so far, Zinedine Zidane’s men continue to show signs of weakness. Although none were evident in his sides hard earned 1-0 victory on Sunday.
After an impressive victory away at Celta Viga to start, the hosts only managed to draw with Villarreal and Real Vallodolid before returning to winning ways against former manager Julen Lopetegui and Sevilla.
Team News
The Spanish giants also continue to endure an injury ridden season. Zidane is without Luka Modric, Marcelo, Isco and long term absentee Marco Asensio. As a result, Ferland Mendy has blossomed in the role of left back but now joins the others on the sidelines with a muscle injury.
Likewise, the visitors are also missing several players to injury. Arrasate continues to lack the services of winger Kike Barja and defender Unai Garcia. Elsewhere, the Spanish manager’s midfield is missing Inigo Perez and Darko Brasanac who are recovering from a toe and knee injury respectively.
Potential Lineups
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Odriozola, Militao, Ramos, Nacho; Casemiro, Valverde, Bale, Rodriguez; Hazard; Jovic
Osasuna XI: Joel; Mandi, Pedraza, Bartra, Royal; Garcia, Fekir, Juanmi, Guardado; Iglesias, Canelas
Real Madrid vs Osasuna Preview
Ultimately, the outcome of the match depends on Madrid’s ability to make their home stadium a fortress. Something it has not been recently.
Comparatively, the whites have dominated this fixture and will feel confident of a victory. Not only have Real Madrid won 15 of the 21 matches between them, but also remain without defeat to Osasuna since 2011.
Nevertheless, they will need to replicate the same effort exerted in Sevilla in order to break down what has been the third best defense in the league so far.
Of course, Zidane may extract just that out of his team. But victory may be elusive with several key squad members expected to rest for the Madrid Derby.
Real Madrid 1-1 Osasuna
Written by Chris Cartwright
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Photo credit to Ly Nguyen via Flickr
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