Real Madrid welcome Osasuna to the Santiago Bernabeu tomorrow evening in another crucial La Liga clash.
Fresh off a 5-0 defeat of Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and a 2-1 win in El Clasico away at Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will hope to keep their good form going.
Madrid are second in La Liga at the time of writing, a point behind league leaders Real Sociedad and level with third-placed Sevilla.
Osasuna are in fine form themselves. They’re sixth in La Liga, just two points behind Madrid and three clear of Barcelona. They did, however, only manage to draw with Granada last time out.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference in comments carried by Marca, Ancelotti touched upon the challenge Osasuna pose as well as reflecting on El Clasico.
The Italian also spoke of the abuse suffered by Ronald Koeman as he left Camp Nou post-game on Sunday evening – the Barcelona coach’s car was mobbed by angry fans after their 2-1 defeat.
“Osasuna are a good team with good dynamics,” he said. “They play intense football and defend well. They’re a dangerous rival and the league table doesn’t lie. It’s going to be a difficult game.
“I understand the criticism [of Madrid’s performance during El Clasico] because everyone can have an opinion. I said we didn’t play a spectacular game, but we played a smart game. That’s what was asked for.
“[The abuse Koeman suffered] is a lack of respect for the person, not for the coach. Koeman isn’t a coach. He’s a person who works as a coach. It’s not a problem of football but of society. It’s rude.”