Real Madrid are ready to improve their game against Malaga since, in Carlo Ancelotti’s words, they “can’t play worse” than they did in their previous La Liga match against Levante.
The Italian manager will reportedly recover the likes of Gareth Bale, who has undergone a special training to recover from his physical problems during the international matches break. Ancelotti has already revealed the Welshman will play a few minutes against Malaga.
Los Blancos will seek to shorten their disadvangate with Barcelona and Atletico, who lead the table five points ahead of Real. The Azulgrana’s always complicated visit to Osasuna could be of help.
Ancelotti will only miss Xabi Alonso, who is expected to return in a couple of weeks. Raphael Varane could be a doubt, as he has come back from France international clashes with some problems.
The Italian has confirmed he will line-up Asier Illarramendi or Sami Khedira in the centre-half. Meanwhile, the number 9 debate is still open, since Karim Benzema could reportedly have ankle problems and Alvaro Morata could finally have the chance to start a game.
Malaga is having a difficult start to their season, with only two victories in eight matches. Their manager, former Real Madrid player and boss Bernd Schuster, will return to Santiago Bernabeu to face a difficult challenge.
The German could miss Argentinian centre-back Marcos Angeleri, who played the last two league games with a fractured toe. Portuguese defender Flavio Ferreira is also a doubt. However, Schuster will recover Weligton Robson, who hasn’t played a single minute yet this season due to a clavicle injury.
The clash will be special for Madrid’s playmaker Isco, who will face his former team from the first time since he moved on summer to Bernabeu.
Possible line-ups:
Real Madrid: Lopez; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira, Modric; Di Maria, Isco, Ronaldo; Benzema.
Malaga: Caballero; Gamez, Sanchez, Weligton, Antunes; Darder, Tissone; Portillo, Morales, Eliseu; Santa Cruz.
This morata is better than benzema