After the international break, Real Madrid returns home to face Leganes in a crucial La Liga match on Saturday. Trailing Barcelona by three points in the league standings, Los Blancos cannot afford to drop points if they aim to compete for the title. The team also has a Copa del Rey quarterfinal match against Real Sociedad coming up on Tuesday, adding to the fixture congestion.
Despite the break, Real Madrid has been in the headlines with rumors linking Liverpool`s Trent Alexander-Arnold to a free transfer and Brazil reportedly considering Carlo Ancelotti for their national team manager role. Such speculation is common for a club of Real Madrid`s stature, but maintaining focus on the upcoming match against Leganes is paramount.
Leganes currently sits in the relegation zone, making this a game Real Madrid is heavily favored to win. However, if Real Madrid struggles to score early, Leganes might gain confidence and potentially cause an upset.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, March 29
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Real Madrid -800; Draw +750; Leganes +1800
Previous Encounter
Real Madrid has a perfect record against Leganes in their two previous meetings, both played at Estadio Municipal de Butarque. While Real Madrid won both matches, their most recent encounter in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal in February was a tightly contested affair. Real Madrid initially took a 2-0 lead with goals from Luka Modric and Endrick within the first 25 minutes. However, Juan Cruz scored twice for Leganes to level the score by the 59th minute. Gonzalo Garcia eventually secured a victory for Real Madrid with a goal in stoppage time. Playing at the Santiago Bernabeu could present a different dynamic, but Leganes can draw confidence from their recent performance against Real Madrid despite their league position.
Ancelotti`s Perspective
Ahead of the match, Carlo Ancelotti emphasized the importance of the La Liga title race. While acknowledging Barcelona`s current advantage, he highlighted the upcoming Clasico on May 11 as a potentially decisive game.
“La Liga is not over. Barcelona are ahead, but we still have the Clasico and many games to play. We must do everything we can, starting tomorrow,” Ancelotti stated. “There are 13 league games remaining, possibly 17 if we progress further in other competitions. I hope that`s the case, as it would mean we are competing on all fronts until the very end.”
Real Madrid faces some injury concerns with Thibaut Courtois nursing a minor injury, and Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy unavailable for this match. Players like Vinicius Junior, who played extensively during the international break, might be rested. Ancelotti also addressed rumors linking him to the Brazil national team job, clarifying that he has not been contacted by the Brazilian FA.
“I don`t recall speaking to Ronaldo about this. My contract is clear, I have nothing to add,” Ancelotti commented. “I have great respect for the Brazil national team, their players, and fans, but I am under contract with Real Madrid.”
Projected Lineups
Real Madrid: Andriy Lunin, Francisco Garcia, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, Lucas Vazquez, Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe, Vini Jr.
Leganes: Marko Dmitrovic, Juan Cruz, Javier Hernandez, Matija Nastasic, Sergio Gonzalez, Valentin Rosier, Seydouba Cisse, Renato Tapia, Darko Brasanac, Diego Garcia, Daniel Raba
Key Player Spotlight
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappe is undoubtedly the player to watch. After a relatively slow start at Real Madrid, he has now scored 20 La Liga goals and an impressive 31 goals across all competitions. While he may not be on pace with his previous season at Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe has achieved an impressive milestone of seven consecutive seasons with 30 or more goals in all competitions.
Mbappe has become the central figure in Real Madrid`s attack, and his goal-scoring form is crucial. His presence also creates space for other players to make runs into the box. Against Leganes` expected five-man defense, Mbappe`s ability to operate in tight spaces will be vital for Real Madrid`s attacking success.
Tactical Focus
Jude Bellingham`s Role: Last season, without a designated striker, Jude Bellingham played a more advanced role, scoring 19 goals and contending for the La Liga Golden Boot. While Mbappe`s arrival has shifted Bellingham`s role, there are situations where Real Madrid could benefit from Bellingham`s attacking presence in the box. Against Leganes, who are likely to defend deep and limit space for counter-attacks, Bellingham`s ability to unlock tight defenses from midfield could be decisive.
Bellingham`s versatility allows him to excel in various positions. If he can effectively balance his defensive duties with timely runs into the box, Real Madrid will be a formidable force against any opponent.
Match Prediction
Real Madrid is expected to start strong, with Mbappe scoring an early goal within the first 15 minutes. As Leganes is forced to become more attacking, Real Madrid`s dominance will likely increase. In a tight La Liga title race, goal difference could be a deciding factor, motivating Real Madrid to aim for a high-scoring victory.
Prediction: Real Madrid 4, Leganes 0
