Real Madrid faces this weekend a crucial match in LaLiga before its expected Champions League tie against Manchester City. After two unexpected stumbles against Espanyol and Atlético de Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti team has seen its advantage in the classification and has no margin of error.
His next obstacle is the always complicated visit to El Sadar, where Osasuna has proven to be a solid and competitive team, capable of putting any rival against the ropes.
Osasuna is not any rival. Under the direction of Jagoba Arrasate, the reddish team has established itself as a difficult team to beat, especially at home.
In fact, they have managed to add more points as local (22) than FC Barcelona itself (21), and have already shown that they can overcome the greats after their victory over the Catalans in September. Now, with the motivation to fight for European squares, the Navarrese team wants to repeat the feat and stop the championship leader.
Before Budimir, the great threat to Real Madrid
If there is a proper name that shines in Osasuna this season, it is that of Budimir. The Croatian striker is at his best and has become one of the key pieces of the reddish team. His 12 goals in 23 games place him as the fourth top scorer of LaLig Any defense.
Budimir is not a newcomer to Spanish football. Since he landed in Mallorca in 2019, he has proven to be a reliable striker and with great scoring smell. In his first season in the First Division with the Bermellón team, he scored 13 goals, including a double at the Camp Nou. However, after the descent of the team, he forced his departure and ended up signing for Osasuna, where he has found his best version. With 62 goals in 164 games, he is already the top foreign scorer in the history of the club, surpassing the Polish Jan Urban.
Bryan Zaragoza, the ideal partner for Budimir
But Budimir is not alone. If there is a player who has contributed to enhance his performance this season, that is Bryan Zaragoza. The Andalusian end, assigned by the Bayern Munich, has been one of the revelations of the championship and has found in Osasuna the perfect scenario to continue growing. Its ability to overflow and generate danger from the left wing has been a lethal weapon for reddish.
In its short stage in Pamplona, Zaragoza has already registered five assists and one goal, three of those goal passes have been for Budimir, forming a society that has wreaked havoc on rival defenses. Their numbers may not be the most spectacular, but their impact on the Osasuna game is unquestionable. His speed and ability against one are a headache for any defense, and his connection with Budimir is one of the main reasons why Osasuna remains in the fight for European positions.
An impregnable sadar to continue dreaming
Sadar is a special stage. Its hostile atmosphere for rivals and the unconditional support of the reddish fans make playing there a fire test for any team. Real Madrid knows what it is to suffer in Pamplona, and this season Osasuna has turned its stadium into a fortress. With 22 points added at home, the reds have shown that they can stand up to anyone, and before the LaLiga leader they want to hit the table.
For Madrid, this game arrives at a delicate time. With the mind placed in the Champions Duel against Manchester City and with the pressure of not losing more points in the fight for the title, those of Ancelotti must leave with the maximum concentration if they want to avoid another stumbling block. Without Rüdiger still 100% and with some rotations forced by the accumulation of matches, the white team must deal with one of the most demanding tests of the season.
A duel with a lot at play
Osasuna arrives with confidence, with an offensive duo in a large state of form and with the aim of continuing to add points at home to keep the European illusion alive. Real Madrid, on the other hand, knows that any error can cost him expensive in the fight for the title and can not afford another slip.
The Sadar will be the stage of a game that promises strong emotions, with two teams that have a lot at stake and with figures such as Budimir and Bryan Zaragoza ready to challenge the leader. Real Madrid faces a character test before its great European event, and Osasuna wants to take the opportunity to continue demonstrating that in Pamplona nobody has it easy.