Fresh from a dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory over Manchester City, Real Madrid returns to La Liga action on Saturday with a critical away match against Osasuna. Despite defensive injuries and a congested schedule, Carlo Ancelotti’s side aims to maintain their one-point lead at the top of the table. Here’s an in-depth look at the predicted lineup and key factors shaping this pivotal clash.
Real Madrid Predicted lineup vs Osasuna
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1):
Courtois (GK); Valverde (RB), Tchouaméni (CB), Asencio (CB), García (LB); Camavinga (DM), Ceballos (DM); Rodrygo (RW), Bellingham (AM), Vinícius (LW); Mbappé (ST) .
Osasuna (4-5-1):
Herrera (GK); Areso (RB), Herrando (CB), Catena (CB), Cruz (LB); Zaragoza (RM), Torró (CM), Moncayola (CM), Oroz (CM), R. García (LM); Budimir (ST)
Defensive Crisis Forces Ancelotti’s Hand
Real Madrid’s injury woes persist, with Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Éder Militão, and Lucas Vázquez all sidelined 110. This forces Ancelotti to deploy a makeshift backline:
- Federico Valverde is set to start at right-back, a role he’s filled admirably despite his midfield roots .
- Aurélien Tchouaméni and Raúl Asencio will partner at center-back. Asencio, 22, has impressed recently, including a standout performance against Erling Haaland in midweek .
- Fran García is favored over Ferland Mendy at left-back, given his recent run of starts in domestic games
Midfield Dynamics: Balancing UCL Fatigue
With Wednesday’s Champions League return leg against Manchester City looming, Ancelotti faces rotation decisions:
- Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos are expected to anchor the midfield in a double pivot, providing defensive cover for the patched-up backline .
- Jude Bellingham, fresh from his match-winning heroics at the Etihad, will operate in his advanced attacking midfield role. The English star has 21 goals this season and scored in November’s 4-0 rout of Osasuna .
- Luka Modrić could make a cameo to manage minutes, but Ancelotti is likely to prioritize his strongest XI given the tight title race
Attack: Mbappé and Vinícius Eye Redemption
Madrid’s attacking quartet remains lethal despite recent inconsistencies:
- Kylian Mbappé leads the line, seeking to extend his tally of 23 goals this season. His pace and movement will test Osasuna’s backline, which has kept just one clean sheet in nine matches .
- Vinícius Júnior, who netted a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, aims to end a four-game league scoring drought .
- Rodrygo and Brahim Díaz provide depth, though Díaz is more likely to feature as a substitute
Tactical Notes and Predictions
- Madrid’s Weakness: Without natural center-backs, set pieces and Budimir’s physicality could trouble Los Blancos. Osasuna has scored in 10 consecutive home games .
- Key Battle: Valverde vs. Zaragoza. The Uruguayan’s defensive discipline will be critical against Osasuna’s rapid winger .
- Prediction: While a draw is possible given Osasuna’s resilience, Madrid’s firepower should edge a 2-1 win, with both teams scoring
Why This Match Matters
With Atlético Madrid and Barcelona just one and two points behind, respectively, dropped points could derail Madrid’s title charge. Ancelotti’s men must balance UCL aspirations with domestic urgency—a test of their depth and mentality.
Kickoff: Saturday, February 15, 16:15 GMT+1 | Venue: Estadio El Sadar
Watch Live: ESPN+ (US), LaLigaTV (UK)
