Los Blancos will pit their wits against Racing Manager Miguel Angel Portugal's team, whom are seeking at least two more victories this term to see them starve of a relegation scrap as they currently lie in 16th position.
Miguel Angel (above), Racing Manager and a former Real Madrid player, will have his work cut out on Sunday night against the league leaders.
At the moment Manuel Pellegrini’s side are top of the La Liga table on goal difference but know they need to maintain the momentum they have been building in recent weeks with the season’s climax in the offing. Rivals, Barcelona entertain Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou, but it certainly will not be a stroll in the park for the league holders as Bilbao themselves harbour hopes of securing a Europa League berth at the end of the campaign.
With only one win in their last six games, Racing’s task in hand appears all the more daunting following the form of Real Madrid’s top goal scorer Gonzalo Higuain and the manner in which the Bernabeu outfit have been scoring goals for fun in the last month or so, since the dejection of their Champions league round of 16 defeat to Lyon.
Mystery men in the shape of Lass Diarra and fellow Frenchman Karim Benzema, have been caught up in a number of off the field problems vociferously reported by the Madrid Media, however they both could be selected in Sunday’s squad after fully recovering from separate niggling injuries. Although, playmaker Kaka and former Racing hero Ezequiel Garay remain on the sidelines for Madrid’s away clash, plus Argentinean international Fernando Gago who picked up a training ground knock meaning he could miss out.
Racing, on the other hand remain relatively injury free, nevertheless they have won just two home games all season and they play host at El Sardinero on the back of an agonizing 4-3 away defeat to Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames last time out.
Verdiblancos will be hoping this seasons wonder kid and lucky charm Sergio Canales, whom coincidentally will become a Real Madrid player on the 1st July 2010 following an agreement between the two clubs in February can produce a few more moments to savour for a Santander faithful having to cope with the loss of yet another promising teenage prodigy.
Many feel a sturdy defensive rearguard will be needed by Racing to thwart Los Blancos’s attacking credentials, with in reply, Racing’s loan marksman Mohammed Tchite, the Green and Whites only other solitary goal threat.
Few would bet against Real Madrid coming away with all three valuable points on Sunday night in their quest to overhaul Barcelona’s incumbent La Liga crown, though the men from the capital may not have it all their way against a side fighting to prolong their top flight stay.
No comments:
Post a Comment