Real Madrid host Deportivo de La Coruña in La Liga. Madrid need to find form quickly to try to salvage their season, and Deportivo is the next challenge.
Real Madrid have been having a rough go of it in La Liga this season, and now find themselves in fourth place, with eight points (but a game in hand) separating Madrid from third place Valencia.
Madrid lost their last La Liga match at home at Villarreal. Performing poorly at the Bernabéu has become something of a trend for Los Blancos this season. Madrid have only won half of their matches at home.
Against Deportivo, Madrid have the opportunity to put the Bernabéu’s mind at ease, if only for ninety minutes. The Galician club have been pretty poor this season, and are currently sitting 18th in La Liga.
Florin Andone has been Deportivo’s best attacking player, having bagged five goals. Their second best goal-scorer is Lucas Perez, who Arsenal fans may remember from his brief stint with the London Club.
Deportivo also currently have Real Madrid loanee Fede Valverde in their squad. However, he won’t be able to feature against Real Madrid, due to a clause in his contract which stipulates he cannot play against his home club.
Real Madrid won’t have their full squad available against Deportivo. Jesus Vallejo and Dani Ceballos picked up injuries against Leganes in the Copa del Rey. Goal.com also reports that Sergio Ramos won’t be available for selection.
For the first time this season and for the first time since April 2017, Bale Benzema & Ronaldo could be playing together again this Sunday against Deportivo. pic.twitter.com/CBVuQrgTo9
— Infinite Madrid (@InfiniteMadrid) January 19, 2018
Zidane may have the opportunity to bring back a classic formation from the Carlo Ancelotti era – the BBC. Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano are all healthy for the first time in a long time. The whole BBC was controversially left out of the squad against Leganes in the Copa del Rey, which means they should be well rested for Sunday’s match.
Next: Real Madrid injury update - Ceballos and Vallejo
Gareth Bale could play a key role against Deportivo, a club he really likes scoring against. He’s scored six goals in his five outings against Deportivo. That could be huge, as Real Madrid need to get Gareth Bale in form for the second half of the season.
Deportivo should provide Real Madrid a chance to bring some joy to the fans at the Bernabéu. Madrid need a big win, and Deportivo could provide them just that opportunity.