Osasuna seek salvation in the Bernabéu

Real Madrid CF host CA Osasuna in their Liga BBVA matchday 35 clash in the Santiago Bernabéu.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team are back in action in the Liga BBVA having conquered the Copa del Rey and won the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against FC Bayern München. The Whites, currently in third place with one game in hand, will be bidding to keep their hopes of lifting the Liga BBVA trophy alive, and to do so they will have to beat Osasuna and hope that their rivals in the title race do not do the same to their opponents. Álvaro Arbeloa, Sami Khedira and Jesé Rodríguez will all miss the match. The Italian coach explained that he hopes Wednesday’s effort has not taken its toll. "We’re trying to get our energy levels back", said Ancelotti, "it’s not easy but we’re going to try and recover them".

For the rojillos the match will be another test in their campaign for salvation. The side from Navarre, which lies in nineteenth place in the table, will be looking to take one more step towards salvation this weekend. Javi Gracia will have to make do without the injured Lolo, Sisi and Nino, as well as the suspended Gato Silva and Roberto Torres. The side’s coach was optimistic about the match in the Santiago Bernabéu: "we have to make the most of the chances we get and we go there fully intent on doing so".