Osasuna vs Real Madrid Match Preview
Having defeated Copa Del Rey reigning champion Sevilla at the Sanchez Pizjuan, the morale of Jose Mourinho's Rojiblancos received a major boost as they prepare to visit Osasuna on Sunday's night. Emmanuel Adebayor might be playing his debut match with los Blancos this Sunday, but Madrid's coach might choose to give French international Karim Benzema another shot as the attacking leader, after a satisfying performance in the last two games.
"We're facing Real Madrid, not Benzema or Adebayor exclusively" said Osasuna's defender Sergio Fernandez when asked about this game. The hosts will be missing two key players, as Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei have both returned from their respective Asian Cup football teams struggling with injuries. Jose Antonio Camacho misses also Nacho Monreal and Alvaro Cejudo, greatly undermining Osasuna's back line.
Real Madrid prepares for a sounding feast at the Reyno de Navarra, as they need to take advantage of their momentum to advance to Copa del Rey semi-finals at the beginning of the next week. Xabi Alonso and Marcelo won't be able to perform, both of them with influenza: without them, Madrid might be lost in the midfield without projection from the left wing. Sami Khedira will have to take over Xabi Alonso's role as long as Mourinho wants to maintain the same 4-2-3-1 formation that has proven to be so successful in the last few weeks.
Real Madrid is forced to bag the three points to keep up with Barcelona's furious pace. Osasuna must rescue at least one point not to finish the week below the relegation line, will they survive Merengues' visit?