Primera Liga matches, Sept 21-23
A trouble-torn Real Madrid prepare to host Osasuna on Tuesday (kickoff 2000 GMT) in a match overshadowed by the speculation surrounding the future of coach Jose Antonio Camacho and the attitude of his players.
A trouble-torn Real Madrid prepare to host Osasuna on Tuesday (kickoff 2000 GMT) in a match overshadowed by the speculation surrounding the future of coach Jose Antonio Camacho and the attitude of his players.
Camacho handed in his resignation following his side's dreadful performance in their 1-0 defeat at Espanyol saying that he felt incapable of carrying on because he did not enjoy the support of the squad.
The 49-year-old former player is expected to make a final decision over his future on Monday following a meeting with club president Florentino Perez, but in the meantime the team will have to focus their attentions on what has the makings of a tough encounter against the combative Navarrans.
As well as the off-the-field problems, Real also have to cope with the absence of several key players for the match at the Bernabeu.
Zinedine Zidane is out after dislocating his shoulder during his side's 3-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen last Wednesday, while defenders Walter Samuel and Michel Salgado are suspended after being sent off in the Espanyol match.
Midfielder Guti may also join them on the sidelines if the Federation decide to ban him for insulting the referee at the end of the game, but goalkeeper Iker Casillas and midfielder Luis Figo should be able to shrug off minor injuries.
Opponents Osasuna, who beat Real 3-0 at the Bernabeu at the end of last season, have made a fine start to the season, taking seven points from their first three games with impressive comeback victories against Deportivo Coruna and Real Betis.
New signing Savo Milosevic leads the Primera Liga scoring charts with four goals and together with Australian international John Aloisi he is likely to cause the much-maligned Real defence plenty of problems.
Other matches being played in the Primera Liga this week (league positions in brackets, kickoffs 1900 GMT unless stated):
Wednesday:
ALBACETE (19) v REAL MALLORCA (13)
Albacete surrendered a 2-1 lead to end up losing 4-3 in an entertaining encounter at Real Zaragoza on Sunday and have yet to earn a point in the Primera Liga, but they will be hopeful of getting off the mark against the islanders who lost 2-1 at home to Malaga on Sunday.
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (10) v VALENCIA (6) 1930
Deportivo notched their first win of the season after a last-gasp strike from Albert Luque gave them a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao, but the Galicians are certain to find it harder going against last season's champions.
Claudio Ranieri's side overpowered Real Sociedad with a 3-1 victory on Saturday, new signing Marco Di Vaio grabbing a well-taken double either side of the break.
Valencia will be missing Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar who strained a muscle in the match.
GETAFE (20) v ESPANYOL (1)
Espanyol are enjoying the unaccustomed privilege of topping the table after their 1-0 win over Real Madrid and will have a good chance of retaining their position against basement side Getafe, who have yet to earn a point in the top flight.
LEVANTE (11) v ATLETICO MADRID (2)
Atletico produced a gritty display to claim a 1-1 draw at home to a dominant Barcelona on Sunday and will fancy their chances of retaining their unbeaten record against Bernd Schuster's Levante who went down 3-0 at Sevilla.
MALAGA (12) v NUMANCIA (9)
Malaga scored their first goals and earned their first points of the season with a 2-1 win in Mallorca, new signing Paulo Wanchope scoring the winner eight minutes from time.
Numancia, promoted at the end of last season, earned a 1-0 win against Getafe at the weekend and appear to be a far more dangerous proposition with the addition of South Korean forward Lee Chun-soo.
REAL BETIS (17) v ATHLETIC BILBAO (14)
The alarm bells are ringing at Betis after they twice surrendered a lead to go down 3-2 at Osasuna and the Andalucians will need to be on much better form against Bilbao who were unlucky to lose out to Deportivo in the last minute.
REAL SOCIEDAD (16) v RACING SANTANDER (18)
An edgy match in prospect between two sides who are still looking for their first wins of the season. Racing scrambled a late draw at home to Villarreal, while Sociedad looked well off the pace in their 3-1 defeat at Valencia.
VILLARREAL (15) v SEVILLA (7)
An intriguing encounter in prospect between two well-drilled outfits who are hoping for big things from this season. Sevilla are likely to be without Brazilian striker Julio Baptista, who grabbed two goals in their 3-0 victory over Levante.
Thursday:
BARCELONA (3) v REAL ZARAGOZA (5)
Barca dropped their first points of the season when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Atletico but they still managed to impress with their fluent, attacking football.
Opponents Zaragoza have also made a bright start to the season, turning in a powerful display of their own in their 4-3 victory over Albacete, and should provide another stern test for Frank Rijkaard's side.