Real Madrid: 5 biggest questions as attack sputters vs. Osasuna

Will Real Madrid suffer the same fate this weekend?

Last season, Real Madrid dropped points to Elche in their first meeting. They beat them the second time around, but only after a rescue job in the second half. So Elche are tough opponents despite being one of the smaller sides in LaLiga, and they pose a threat to Los Blancos, just as Osasuna clearly did on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real could be without Luka Modric again this weekend on the road against Elche, which means they would be without their best weapon against teams that like to sit back. Elche are currently 15th in LaLiga, but they have a similar defensive record and style to Osasuna.

Keeping their 2-1 losses to Espanyol and Sheriff in mind, Real have not fully broken free of their woes against smaller sides, even though their 5-0 win over Shakhtar seemed to be reassuring. After this tough draw with Osasuna, Madridistas are shuddering at the thought of losing more valuable points against teams they should be beating, especially as LaLiga continues to heat up.

Barcelona no longer seem to be a threat. But Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad, Sevilla, and even Real Betis are dangerous. All four of those teams can fight with Los Blancos at the top of the table, with Los Verdiblancos having already drawn the Merengue club to a 0-0 stalemate of their own.

Elche is a test for Real Madrid to see how much they learned and how they respond to this disappointing night at the Bernabeu. Let’s see what answers Ancelotti has cooked up, because Madridistas will not accept anything less than the full three points against a team that is likely fighting relegation again.