Real Madrid have survived tough challenge after tough challenge. Just this past week, they had to outlast Chelsea in a nervy Champions League second leg and then complete a 3-2 comeback victory over Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to end Julen Lopetegui’s LaLiga title hopes once and for all.
Now this Wednesday, Los Blancos will make the trip to Pamplona to face Osasuna, who stymied them earlier this season in a 0-0 draw. That scoreline, by the way, was the same as the meeting before that in the 2020/21 season, which was the last time Real Madrid faced Osasuna in the northern Spanish city.
It won’t be snowing in Pamplona this time, but we can expect another tough match against the underdogs, who are coming off a big win over their own against Valencia, quietly moving ahead of them in the table to ninth.
Let’s take a look at how we can expect the Real Madrid lineup to look like on LaLiga’s Matchday 33 at El Sadar.
GK Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is the easiest prediction to make every single week. He had little to do against Sevilla, though you wonder if Chimy Avila could have a surprise in store for him.
LB Dani Carvajal
Ferland Mendy should probably be held out for one more game just in case, as he recently suffered an injury that prevented him from playing against Sevilla. Dani Carvajal was the surprise starter on the left and was very, very good after an initial adjustment period, recording two assists. If Mendy cannot be 100 percent before Manchester City, I do not see a better option at left back than Carvajal.
CB David Alaba
Masterful again, David Alaba was one of the top performers in the 3-2 win over Sevilla, holding the defense together single-handedly at times. The No. 4 has been a major blessing to the Real Madrid defense this season, and Madridistas can expect nothing less than another performance of the highest order in Pamplona.
CB Eder Militao
Though Eder Militao made a trio of terrible errors – two of which were punished by Sevilla for goals in quick succession – he settled down and bounced back in the second half, showing the kind of resiliency that is required from all Real Madrid players. Especially center backs.
Militao was missed badly in the second leg vs. Chelsea. Hopefully he can have another good game and maintain high confidence going into the first leg against Manchester City.
RB Lucas Vazquez
Subbed off in the second half of the eventual win over Sevilla, Lucas Vazquez did actually play pretty well against the Andalusian side on Sunday night. Vazquez was brilliant – and even scored – the week before in the 2-0 win over Getafe. If Carvajal has to move to left back with Mendy out, I have no concerns regarding Vazquez against Osasuna. He should be more than good enough for this matchup.