Osasuna vs Madrid team news
Real Madrid’s defensive absentees were well documented before they visited City, with David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez all out.
“They’re improving,” manager Carlo Ancelotti said of Alaba and Rudiger. “They’re going to keep working individually until Monday.
“Starting Tuesday, they’ll be back with the team and available for the [return home] game [against] City [on Wednesday], and the same goes for Lucas Vazquez.”
Federico Valverde – usually a midfielder – will continue at full-back until Vazquez returns. “[He] offers us a great deal in that position, as he does anywhere else,” said Ancelotti. “I really liked how he played against City and he enjoys that position.”
Enzo Boyomo scored Osasuna’s 94th-minute equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Mallorca in La Liga on Monday, but the centre-back’s fifth yellow card of the campaign means he is suspended against Madrid.
Forward Raul Garcia, who had featured in 21 of Osasuna’s previous 22 league games this season, is a doubt after missing the trip to Mallorca through injury.
“It couldn’t be more exciting,” said Osasuna manager Vicente Moreno. “We’re talking about a top-level match in every way. I understand this is one of those games you mark on the calendar for our fans because of everything it represents and its impact.
“We will enjoy it while being fully aware that it will be a difficult match. I don’t know if I should say [Madrid are] the best team in the world or one of the best — not because I say so, but because of what they achieve year after year. That makes it a tough challenge, and we need to play this game together.”