Real Madrid vs Sporting Gijón Match Preview
Jose Mourinho misses Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Marcelo and Karim Benzema as Sporting visits the Santiago Bernabeu this Saturday. Manolo Preciado's Sportinguistas need the three points to open a safe buffer zone from the relegation fight.
Jose Mourinho is focused on this clash above anything else. On friday he said "Tomorrow's game is more important than Tottenham's. If we're defeated, then La Liga is lost. If we lose against Tottenham this Tuesday, we can make things right in North London".
The surprise has been the inclusion of Gonzalo Higuain in the match day squad. Higuain was a vital player for Real Madrid in the first half of the tournament, but it might take him some time to adapt to Mourinho's new scheme.
Emmanuel Adebayor might nevertheless be leading the attack along with Angel Di Maria, leaving Higuain as an alternative in case things go extremely well or extremely bad.
Manolo Preciado loses goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar and team's captain Diego Castro due to injuries. Castro plays a main role in Preciado's scheme, and it is yet to see whether Nacho Novo or Miguel de las Cuevas will be able to successfully lead the attack without him.
Sporting has gone through a nightmare the last two times they visited the Santiago Bernabeu, being defeated 4-1 and 7-1. A decisive game for Real Madrid, will they bag the three points?