Real Madrid face what can easily be considered a must-win on the road as they travel to meet Leganes on Sunday in a match with a surprising spotlight.
Los Blancos looked to have reversed their struggles just before the international break, beating Osasuna 4-0 and a hat-trick from Vinicius Jr. , but they will have to maintain that momentum here in a match presented in their own time slot and broadcast by Television Network in the United States.
Carlo Ancelotti is still dealing with significant injuries to his squad, but the international break was kind to Real Madrid for once as they picked up no new fitness concerns. Faced with a six-point deficit behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, Madrid cannot afford any more slips to widen the gap even further.
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Leganes sit 14th in the table but seem to have found some semblance of form as they’ve won three of their last four matches across all competitions including two in the league to give them life in the relegation battle.
Leganés were unlucky to lose two starters to injury just before the foreign break, while Peruvian midfielder Renato Tapia and left back Enric Franquesa crashed out.
The outlook is much better for Tapia, whose adductor injury shouldn’t cost him too much time, but Franquesa is done for the season after tearing his ACL and will be covered by Javi Hernandez.
Leganes are also without winger Dani Raba, who was just getting into a flow with an assist in his first two starts before cropping up with a hamstring injury.
Leganés predicted the XI (4-2-3-1, from right to left): Dmitrovic (GK) – Altimira, S. Gonzalez, Nastasic, J. Hernandez – Chicco, Cissé – Cruz, Brasanac, El Haddadi – De los angeles Fuente.
Injured: Tapia (adductor), Franquesa (ACL), Raba (femoral biceps). Suspended: None.
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Real Madrid still have a significant list of injury absences, but they will most likely have some players back for this match. Chief among them is Aurélien Tchouameni, who missed time with an ankle injury but returned to education midway through the foreign break and may be fit to leave.
This would allow Federico Valverde to drop back and deputize at right-back, with Madrid struggling for options there after the serious knee injury to Dani Carvajal and a recent muscle problem for Lucas Vazquez.
Another player missing this season is Eder Militao, who tore his ACL just before the international break, while David Alaba is expected to return in January from his knee injury.
Rodrygo has returned to training earlier than expected, meaning he may return in this game, but is unlikely to be fit to play a starting role. Ferland Mendy’s difficulties this season led Ancelotti to place Fran García at left back. Last time against Osasuna, and his forged ability could give him more time.
Real Madrid has predicted the XI (4-3-3, from left to right): Lunin (GK) — Valverde, R. Asencio, Rudiger, F. García — Tchouameni, Bellingham, Camavinga — B. Díaz, Mbappé, Vinicius .
Injured: Carvajal (knee), Militao (ACL), Rodrygo (muscle), Vazquez (muscle), Alaba (ACL).Suspended: None.
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Kyle Bonn graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in broadcast journalism and has been covering soccer worldwide for more than a decade. Kyle specializes in football tactics and betting and has a degree in knowledge analysis. Kyle also does television broadcasting for Wake Forest football and was previously with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.