Real Madrid will continue their pursuit of Barcelona when they host Malaga this Saturday afternoon. With Carlo Ancelotti intending to rotate some of his most tired players, Los Blancos will try to avoid any slip-ups against a complicated Andalucian side who was able to shock Barcelona a few weeks ago at Camp Nou. Javi Gracia's team will try to shock their hosts in order to keep their European football hopes alive, after three consecutive losses away from La Rosaleda, without being able to score one goal.
Following their 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid last Tuesday, Carlo Ancelotti had to rest Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema due to physical complications. While the Welshman was able to make the squad for this game, Benzema will be watching from the stands due to fatigue. His place in the team's lineup might be taken by either Isco or Javier Hernandez. If the Mexican striker gets the option, it will be the first time this season he earns back-to-back starts. Before the week's training sessions ended, president Florentino Perez joined his team to award Cristiano Ronaldo a conmemorative jersey for his goalscoring antics with the team.
Florentino Pérez presented @Cristiano with a shirt marking his 300 goals http://t.co/kwke41F8BH #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/UOGkPVnzHg
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) April 17, 2015
Barcelona's fans will be routing for Malaga, since this is the same team that complicated La Liga for them back in February. Los Boquerones will try to gather the spirit that made them defeat Los Blaugranas when they meet Real Madrid. The problem for Gracia's men is that they haven't been able to score a goal during their three most recent outings away from home. In fact, Málaga hasn't been able to win a match against Los Blancos in their ten most recent visits, with their only draw happening on March 18,2012, when Santi Cazorla scored a free-kick against Iker Casillas to even the score.
Before the team travelled to Madrid, coach Javi Gracia stated he believes the team can pull a similar upset like the one they performed weeks ago against Barcelona, but they have to perform superbly to do so.
"I'm setting my attention on what my players need to do. We have to play our best game in order to bring back at least one point."
Javi Gracia: "Fijo mi atención en mis jugadores y hacer las cosas bien. Tenemos que estar a nuestro mejor nivel para puntuar". #MCFLive
— Málaga CF (@MalagaCF) April 17, 2015
Just like Real Madrid, Gracia will not have a full squad to choose from. Nacho Camacho and Flavio are not available due to injury, while Weligton picked up his fifth yellow card last week, earning a one match ban.
Real Madrid vs Malaga team sheets
Real Madrid's XI: Casillas, Pepe, Ramos, Ronaldo, Kroos, James, Bale, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Modric, Isco
Malaga's XI: Kameni, Amrabat, Samuel, Juanmi, Recio, Angeleri, Rosales, Boka, S. Sánchez, Castillejo y Darder
Real Madrid's subs:Navas, Chicharito, Carvajal, Lucas Silva, Nacho, Jesé, Illarra.
Malaga's subs: Ochoa, Guerra, Horta, Tissone, Duda, Torres, Filipenko.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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