Liga Preview: Real Madrid v Malaga

Real Madrid face an uncomfortable home match with Malaga after the most turbulent week in a long time.

Vicente Del Bosque's side deserved all they got on Wednesday against Juventus, make no mistake. They were exposed at the back, looked a frail imitation in midfield, and struggled to create chances up front.

Fernando Hierro came in for much stick after the match as he was partly at fault for at least two of the goals. But he is not the only one to blame for the Merengues' current predicament. Any side that hit's Real with pace through the middle, and often down the wings, can cause the capital club real problems. Roberto Carlos had his worst game in a Real shirt for some time.

It is now clearer than ever, though, that president Florentino Perez must sign a defender. Walter Samuel, Jaap Stam, Christian Chivu and Ivan Cordoba have been strongly linked. Certainly the latter would inject some much needed pace in the centre, although Samuel and Stam are probably the better defenders.

For the remaining five games of the season Del Bosque must just do the best with what he has at his disposal. It's almost certain that a 100% record from now until the end of the season will deliver the league title, and that is by no means out of the question for a squad of this talent.

Malaga lost 2-0 at home to Deportivo last week, but that was certainly a score that flattered the Galicians. For Joaquin Piero's side played good football at times and were unlucky not to find the target at least once.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Real Madrid: Casillas, Michel Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Flavio, Guti, Figo, Raúl, Zidane, Morientes.

Málaga: Contreras, Josemi, Sanz, Roteta, Valcarce, Manu, Musampa, Miguel Angel, Gerardo, Sandro or Canabal, Dely Valdés.