Three talking points ahead of Leganes vs Real Madrid | La Liga | OneFootball

Real Madrid have not played against Leganes since 2020 as the club spent close to four years in the lower division. Yet, Los Blancos’ record against them is not something to be proud of.

In their last five meetings, Real Madrid have won only twice while Los Pipineros won once and two games ended in a draw.

Their record at Municipal de Butarque is worse, with the men in white winless in their last three games at the venue with two draws and a defeat.

Tomorrow night, they return to the Butarque hoping to turn their fortunes around for a lot more rides on the game than the mere three points on paper. Returning after the international break, moreover, Los Blancos will be motivated to push for a fresh start.

Borja Jimenez’s side have been punching above their weight so far this season and are placed 14 in the league, just four points short of the top 10.

On that note, Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Leganes vs Real Madrid.

Big absences

Real Madrid will miss several key players against Leganes. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Real Madrid’s win over Osasuna before the international break was massive from the standings standpoint as it helped the team get closer to Barcelona who dropped points against Real Sociedad.

Yet, it came at a price that the club would be uncomfortable paying under any circumstance. After all, three big names went down injured on the night in a big blow to Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.

Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Lucas Vazquez were the names who Los Blancos lost on the night, of whom the defender is ruled out for the season through an ACL injury.

The remaining duo is set to return in the coming week but will be unavailable tomorrow night, thus placing the manager into a selection dilemma.

Vazquez’s absence implies that the Italian gaffer will be without any natural right-backs against Leganes tomorrow night and thus forces him to think out of the box. If rumours are to be believed, Federico Valverde will play in the makeshift position tomorrow night.

The second big question is about how to rearrange the formation without Rodrygo and all signs point to Brahim Diaz taking the spot in the lineup.

A big test for Raul Asencio

Raul Asencio will start against Leganes. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

The third injury Real Madrid suffered against Osasuna, that of Militao, was perhaps the single-most dreaded development of the season for the Merengues given their pre-existing defensive crisis.

With the Brazilian star now ruled out for the season and David Alaba still far from being a starter, Los Blancos have no natural centre-back to partner Antonio Rudiger in defence.

Aurelien Tchouameni is said to be the manager’s top choice to fill in the defensive void, but with the Frenchman injured as well, the door for Raul Asencio opens up.

The Castilla star put up a brave showing against Osasuna and even notched up an assist on the night, capping off the perfect debut. However, the player does not have long to prove his worth to the manager with Tchouameni’s return set in the coming week.

It is thus crucial that Asencio makes a strong impression tomorrow night in an attempt to push himself up the manager’s pecking order. Playing in a higher division than he is accustomed to, moreover, Leganes will look to target him as the weak link.

Building up to the big clash

Carlo Ancelotti will keep the Liverpool clash in mind. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

While Real Madrid indeed cannot afford to look down on any clash, one cannot help but see that their primary focus will be on the game against Liverpool at Anfield.

Tomorrow’s game against Leganes, thus, is a preparation of sorts before the heavyweight clash in the UEFA Champions League and a lot rides on the result tomorrow.

Returning to action after a hiatus of two weeks, Los Blancos do not have long to return to top gear before the game against the in-form European leaders.

The 90 minutes tomorrow is all they have to find a level they have not yet hit so far and it will thus be crucial to get into the right mood tomorrow.

A win against Leganes will serve as a momentum boost for the Merengues and improve their chances of pulling off an upset midweek. It is, thus more than just 90 minutes of football.