Liga Preview: Osasuna v Real Madrid
Despite having the world's most expensive talent at their disposal, Real Madrid have taken measures to prevent one of their on-loan players from playing against them.
Despite having the world's most expensive talent at their disposal, Real Madrid have taken measures to prevent one of their on-loan players from playing against them.
Valdo is currently on loan at Osasuna, Madrid's opponents on Sunday, and was desperate to prove himself against his owners.
But after suffering at the hands of Fernando, Pedro Munitis and Julio Alavarez earlier in the season, the European champions have put a stop to their own players from haunting them.
Jorge Valdano informed the Pamplona-based side that they would have stump a considerable sum to allow Valdo to line-up for Osasuna in the Sunday clash in El Sadar.
After hammering Real Betis 4-1 last weekend, it would appear that Madrid would not feel the need to prevent one of their up-and-coming stars from gaining invaluable experience at the top level.
But prevent him they have and the move will win them no friends as they head north for what always promises to be a hostile reception from the Basque crowd.
Osasuna need to record a victory ease their plight near the bottom of the table as they lie just two points above the drop zone.
Vicente Del Bosque's side can go to the top of the table if Real Sociedad slip up at Real Betis.
FORM GUIDE
Osasuna: Last Six Matches: DWWLLD
Osasuna's eye has been slightly taken off the league ball as they surged through to the Copa Del Rey semi finals, but they will be highly motivated for the visit of Real Madrid. In their last three league outings, Javier Aguirre's side have won, drawn and lost. But they were beaten 2-0 by Recreativo in the cup and only if they go out of that competition will they concentrate on the task of staying up.
Real Madrid: Last Six Matches: DDDLDW
Such are the expectations at the Bernabeu, that anything other than a convincing victory is decreed as a failure. Last weekend's victory over Betis reasserted this belief as the Madrid everyone expects returned to put their title challenge back on track. After being hammered 4-0 by Mallorca in the Copa Del Rey their was an inquest into whether Del Bosque really was upto the job. The win over the Andalucians proved that he is.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Osasuna: The home side will be without the suspended duo of Cesar Cruchaga and Gerardo Rivero, the injured Pablo Garcia and Valdo, who is not allowed to play. Aguirre will place Jose Manuel Mateo in the defence and on-loan Christian Manfredini in midfield.
Real Madrid: Francisco Pavon will step into the centre of defence in place of the injured Fernando Hierro. Del Bosque counted himself lucky after all his international stars returned from duty in midweek without having picked up any knocks.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Osasuna: (4-2-3-1) Sanzol, Yanguas, Mateo, Josetxo, Antonio Lopez, Punal, Alfredo, Munoz, Ivan Rosado, Manfredini, Aloisi.
Real Madrid: (4-4-2) Casillas, Michel Salgado, Helguera, Pavon, Roberto Carlos, Figo, Makelele, Flavio, Zidane, Raul, Ronaldo
PLAYERS TO WATCH
John Aloisi (Osasuna): Without the towering presence of Fernando Hierro, Real Madrid's defence could well have some problems with Osasuna's Australian striker John Aloisi, who is very powerful and strong in the air.
Ronaldo (Real Madrid): This will be true test of character for the Brazilian after a week that has seen him hit the headlines again for allegedly claiming he would not rule out a move away from the European champions.