Real Madrid vs. Osasuna lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news and injuries: Pressure growing on Ancelotti in La Liga
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti needs a result this weekend against Osasuna to ease the pressure on his position amid the team’s largely poor start to the season.
Consecutive home losses to Barcelona in La Liga, and AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League — by a 7-1 overall scoreline, no less — have led to serious disquiet among the fans and increasing scrutiny on Ancelotti’s star-studded and underperforming squad.
Los Blancos are nine points behind Barca at the top of La Liga and have lost two of their four Champions League games this season. With a trip to Liverpool to come on matchday five, there are growing fears that the holders could miss out on an automatic place in the knockout phase if they do not improve their standards.
Osasuna are the only team to have beaten Hansi Flick’s Barca in the league this season and will represent a stern test for a Madrid side desperately searching both a balance between getting the best out of their attacking stars and maintaining some sense of defensive discipline.
The Sporting News looks at the latest team news and predicted lineups for this fixture.
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Real Madrid vs. Osasuna lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Should Madrid fail to win this last game before the November international break, Ancelotti could find himself in big trouble, despite the pedigree he has among the powerbrokers at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The coach’s dilemma remains how to get the best out of his stars in a system that works. Certainly, there is little indication that any of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Jude Bellingham will be dropped.
Federico Valverde was taken off against Milan due to a back issue and is a doubt for this game. Under-fire Aurelien Tchouameni could also lose his spot in the side.
Lucas Vazquez will likely continue at right-back in the continued absence of Dani Carvajal. David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois are also out.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Lunin (GK) — Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy — Modric, Camavinga — Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius — Mbappe
Injured: Alaba, Carvajal, Courtois, Valverde (doubt)
Suspended: None
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Osasuna have enjoyed an excellent start to the season. Although the victory over Barcelona was the highlight, a 2-0 away win over Real Sociedad on October 27 was also hugely impressive.
Daniel Pendin rotated his team for the Copa del Rey win at Chiclana, but they should be largely at full strength this weekend. Experienced striker Ante Budimir will look to add to his six goals in La Liga already this season.
Osasuna predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Herrera (GK) — Areso, Catena, Boyomo, Cruz — Moncayola, Torro, Oroz — Pena, Budimir, Zaragoza
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Real Madrid vs. Osasuna live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world’s major regions: