Real Madrid Faces Defensive Challenges Ahead of Leganés Clash

Real Madrid will welcome the return of their star goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, for an upcoming encounter against Leganés. This follows Courtois’s absence due to a muscular injury that kept him sidelined for the last three matches. The team faces significant challenges in defense, missing key players such as Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vázquez, Éder Militao, and David Alaba. In addition, both Aurelien Tchouaméni and Rodrygo Goes are also unavailable, adding to the team’s selection woes.

With these absences, manager Carlo Ancelotti has turned to the club’s youth ranks, integrating players like Raúl Asencio into the first team. Asencio, having made a favorable impression with an assist during his debut against Osasuna, is expected to start in the upcoming fixture. Diego Aguado, another promising player capable of filling in at central defense or left back, has also been included in the squad. «It’s great to have Courtois back, and we have faith in the young talents stepping up,» remarked an inside source familiar with Ancelotti’s strategy.

The match at Butarque presents a chance for Real Madrid to close the gap on current league leaders Barcelona, who recently drew against Celta de Vigo. Real Madrid currently trails by several points but aims to take advantage of Barcelona’s slip.

Historically, matches against Leganés have been favorable for Real Madrid, boasting ten wins and two draws from their encounters. However, recent matches at Butarque have proven difficult for Los Blancos, who have not managed a victory in their last three visits. The team’s most recent win here was a comeback 3-1 victory in February 2018, which stands out as their lone triumph since a string of successful visits that began in 2004 during a Copa del Rey fixture.

Leganés, on the other hand, has fluctuated between the first and second divisions over recent years, securing their return to La Liga after winning the last edition of La Liga Hypermotion. Despite the apparent disparity in track records and squad strength, Leganés’s performance at home has been impressive against formidable sides.

The Real Madrid lineup for the clash is anticipated to feature notables such as Rüdiger, Camavinga, and Bellingham alongside Asencio and Fran García. In contrast, the Leganés squad includes players like Dimitrovic, Nastasic, and Munir, aiming to capitalize on their home advantage.