Liga Preview: Racing Santander-Real Madrid
A clash between two sides at the opposite end of the Liga spectrum.
A clash between two sides at the opposite end of the Liga spectrum.
Racing Santander would be perfectly happy to finish in 17th place and avoid relegation after a season down in the Secunda division, while only first will do for Real Madrid after last year's under-achievement in La Liga.
This match will be particularly special for little Pedro Munitis who will be appearing against his former club after being sent out to Racing on loan by the Merengues. The Spanish international set El Sardinero alight with some terrific displays in his first spell at Racing but was unable to repeat the trick on the bigger stage due to a mix of injury and lack of form. He was more often than not used as a substitute.
Racing won't really be targeting these type of games for points, but rather the clashes against those around them. The scalp of Real Madrid would be quite something, but beating the likes of Valladolid, Osasuna and Villarreal surely preferable.
These past two weeks since Ronaldo first donned the Real jersey must have seemed like an eternity for the Merengues' supporters. How they long to see the Brazilian start a game. If he can do the type of damage he did against Alaves in half-an-hour, what can he do in the full ninety with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Raul around him? Unfortunately Real fans won't find out the answer on Saturday night as the latter two are both injured.
Real now have so many avenues of attack that these two being missing is really an inconvenience rather than a crushing blow. Afterall Ronaldo and Steve McManamam are two world class players who would walk into the first-team of most other clubs in the world.
FORM GUIDE
Real Madrid Last Six Matches: WWDDWD
Real are finding away wins difficult to come by at present. The point against Betis was more than satisfactory but they'll have been disappointed with draws in Athens and Valladolid, even if they had to play with ten men for over half the match against the latter. Wins have come against Osasuna (4-1), Genk (6-0) and Alaves (5-2).
Racing Last Six Matches: LLWWDW
Racing have settled back into Liga life very nicely and have seven points on the board. They have lost to fellow relegation candidates Valladolid and Rayo Vallecano, but have also secured excellent away wins at Alaves and mostly lately Deportivo when two goals from Francisco Guerrero handed them the points.
Latest team news
Racing: Munitis will start against is old side, with Guerrero his partner in crime after those two goals at Depor. Bodipo and Alonso both miss out, while Lago is injured.
PL (4-4-2): Ceballos; Pineda, Mora, Juanma, Sietes; Ismael, Nafti, Pablo Sierra, Regueiro; Munitis, Javi Guerrero.
Real Madrid: Raul and Figo both miss out with injury, so McManaman will likely come in and Ronaldo will make his full debut for the club. There is a chance that Vicente Del Bosque could opt for Solari instead of McManaman. Raul Bravo and Oscar Miñambres have been left in Madrid due to injury, while Tote doesn't make the squad.
PL (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos; Makelele, Cambiasso; McManaman, Zidane, Guti, Ronaldo.
Players to watch
Pedro Munitis (Racing)- the little man will be eager to impress against Real where he never got to show his true worth.
Ronaldo (Real)- was there any other choice? The Brazilian will start for the first time in a Real shirt. Against Alaves he scored a brace, and with the amount of talent around him he is sure to have more chances to add to that tally against Racing.