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Real Madrid Face Tough Test at In-Form Osasuna in La Liga Clash

League leaders Real Madrid face a challenging away match against an in-form Osasuna side at the hostile El Sadar Stadium. Madrid's preparations come after a Champions League win marred by alleged racist insults towards Vinicius Jr., who is likely to start. Osasuna, under coach Alessio Lisci, are unbeaten in five and pose a threat through veteran striker Ante Budimir and winger Victor Munoz. Manager Alvaro Arbeloa may rotate his squad with an eye on the crucial Champions League return leg next week.

Key Points: Real Madrid vs Osasuna: La Liga Preview & Team News

  • Madrid leads La Liga after Barcelona's loss
  • Vinicius Jr. expected to start amid controversy
  • Osasuna on a five-game unbeaten run
  • Key players may be rested for Champions League
2 min read

La Liga: Changes likely as Real Madrid visit in-form Osasuna

Real Madrid travel to face in-form Osasuna in a key La Liga match. Preview includes team news, potential rotations, and Osasuna's threats.

"Veteran striker Ante Budimir will be a constant threat to Real Madrid - Xinhua"

Madrid, Feb 21

Table-topper Real Madrid will travel to one of La Liga's most hostile grounds on Saturday to play Osasuna in the El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona.

Alvaro Arbeloa's side travels to the north of Spain as the new La Liga leader, after last weekend's 4-1 win at home to Real Sociedad, and FC Barcelona's 2-1 defeat in Girona saw the two teams swap places in the standings.

Madrid also took a big step towards the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday with their 1-0 first-leg playoff round win away to Benfica in a game marred by alleged insults towards goalscorer Vinicius Jr, reports Xinhua.

Vinicius are almost certain to start in Pamplona, although Arbeloa could be tempted to rest Kylian Mbappe for next week's return leg at home to Benfica, while Jude Bellingham is still out with a hamstring injury.

Brahim Diaz, Gonzalo Garcia, and Dani Carvajal all have a chance of starting if Arbeloa decides to rotate his squad.

Osasuna have improved after a slow start to the season under coach Alessio Lisci and are currently 10th in La Liga after a five-game unbeaten run. Veteran striker Ante Budimir will be a constant threat to Real Madrid, and the Croatian has 11 goals in La Liga this season.

Winger Victor Munoz has also been a big success for Osasuna this season after joining last summer from Real Madrid, which retains 50 percent of the 22-year-old's rights.

The pace of Munoz and the recent arrival of Raul Moro give Osasuna options on the wings, and Munoz is likely to try and cause problems behind Trent Alexander-Arnold or Carvajal down Real Madrid's right-hand side.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see Victor Munoz playing against his former club. That's always a spicy narrative. Osasuna's form is impressive, but Real's squad depth should see them through. 2-1 to Madrid, I predict.
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Ananya R
As an Indian football fan, I love watching La Liga late at night! The quality is just different. Missing Bellingham is a big blow for creativity in midfield. Hope Brahim Diaz gets a start, he's been brilliant whenever he plays.
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Vikram M
Respectfully, I think the article is focusing too much on Madrid. Osasuna's turnaround under Lisci is the real story here. Five games unbeaten in La Liga is no joke. Budimir is a proper striker, will give Militao a hard time.
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Karthik V
Rest Mbappe for the UCL? Are you mad? We need to win the league first! Every match is a final now. Play the strongest XI, get the job done, then think about Benfica. Come on Madrid! 🤍
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Michael C
The business side is fascinating - Madrid still owning 50% of Munoz's rights. Smart deal. On the pitch, it's a classic top vs. mid-table battle. Osasuna's home crowd will be their 12th man. Should be a good watch.

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