La Liga returns to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday as Real Madrid get back in action for the first time since their elimination in the Copa del Rey. It is, in fact, the team’s only home game before they host Atletico Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga once again.
With the Spanish Cup out of the way, Los Blancos have more breathing space on their calendar and can focus more clearly on the competitions left in hand. That was how Carlo Ancelotti put it after the defeat to Diego Simeone’s side, but his men will have to show the same attitude on the field against Almeria.
The manager is expected to make changes, especially in midfield and in the final third. Joselu and Toni Kroos are the players expected to feature in the lineup, although nothing can be said with certainty until the game is upon us. The objective, however, will be to return to winning ways.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Almeria.
Real Madrid have only suffered two defeats all season. Both results came at the Civitas Metropolitano and against Atletico Madrid in derbies.
Not many saw Los Blancos’ elimination from the Copa del Rey coming. After all, Ancelotti’s side had just downed Atletico Madrid in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup days ago and were fresh off a stunning win over Barcelona in the final.
How the Merengues’ dressing room takes the defeat will count for so much of their football that is yet to come. After all, Real Madrid have not tasted defeat much this season and it is vital that the young core keep their focus on the games that lie ahead and not the results that have passed.
The team’s run across all competitions to this point has been stunning and has rightfully generated the impression that Real Madrid are invincible. In that sense, the defeat in the cup came at the optimal time.
Halfway through the season, with the business end coming hard and fast, Los Blancos needed a stern reminder and reality check before the success got into the players’ heads. If they use the result to fire up their engine and stay grounded, the sky is the limit for the club.
If they take the negatives from the result, however, they may have to incur a heavy price.
Ancelotti has faced a constant dilemma between Kepa Arrizabalaga and Andriy Lunin in recent weeks. Both players are in their best moments and demand a regular spot, but as football has it, only one player can start in every game.
The manager’s workaround to the same was to alternate the two players. While the arrangement did provide both players an equal chance to participate, it has not gone down well as it does not help either star’s cause. The lack of continuity disturbs their rhythm and the team’s play.
Earlier this month, media brought out a report that Ancelotti had chosen Lunin to be his primary keeper in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League with the Spaniard covering in Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
Yet, it was Lunin who started both against Barcelona in the Supercopa and Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Moreover, with Los Blancos no longer in the Cup, that arrangement will not work anymore.
All eyes thus focus on the goalkeeping spot ahead of Sunday’s game. Ancelotti’s selection on the day could well point to who his preferred option for the rest of the campaign can be, although it will not be binding. Lunin, as it stands, appears to be the favourite.
Nothing has gone right for Almeria in La Liga this season. 20 games into the season, they are yet to taste victory and have come out second best on 14 occasions.
Their highest goalscorer this season is former Real Madrid Castilla starlet Sergio Arribas who left the club last summer. They have conceded 43 goals so far in the league, average under a goal scored per game, and languish in last place on the standings.
Despite their poor run of form and the cloud of negativity around their performances, Gaizka Garitano’s side pulled off a massive upset last weekend. Faced against leaders Girona, they held the Catalans to a gruelling goalless draw to take two precious points.
Almeria’s result against Girona has two repercussions for Real Madrid. For starters, it gifts the Merengues a golden chance to steal the lead in the league race over Girona. If Ancelotti’s men win on Sunday, they will move to 51 points, two points clear of Girona.
On the other hand, it gives the dressing room a much-needed warning that Almeria are no pushaways. Girona have torn through the best clubs in Spain this season, and to hold them to a draw is a testament to their quality and grit.
It is thus essential that Real Madrid enter Sunday’s game with the right mentality. As a team pressed for wins, Garitano’s side will come out all guns blazing for they have nothing to lose.
