Real Madrid vs Leganes – LaLiga: Team news, kickoff, how to follow, stream
What: Spanish LaLiga
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
When: Saturday at 9pm (20:00 GMT)
Follow Al Jazeera Sport’s live text and photo commentary stream.
Real Madrid, the holders of the LaLiga and Champions League titles, have had a mixed season.
Following a 3-0 victory over Osasuna on Thursday, Barcelona moved three points clear of the Spanish league. Real were forced to advance through the playoffs after losing the Champions League earlier this season.
Following a turbulent week for the Spanish giants, Al Jazeera looks at their most recent league game.
What accusations were made against Real players this week?
Following the recent Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid, the governing body of European football opened an investigation on Thursday into a potential violation of disciplinary rules by several Real players.
Antonio Ruediger, Kylian Mbappe, Dani Ceballos, and Vinicius Jr. are all accused of improper conduct, and the investigation is focusing on those allegations. Real’s Champions League quarterfinal games against Arsenal will be played on April 8 and 16. According to Spanish media reports, bans may be imposed.
Although UEFA did not provide specific details of the incidents being investigated, Spanish media reported that Atletico complained about Real’s players making gestures and dances that caused objects to be thrown at them following the game.
What was Real Madrid’s response to the allegations?
Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, expressed confidence on Friday that the UEFA investigation into alleged player misconduct would be properly handled as his team faces the possibility of missing crucial upcoming games.
Ancelotti told reporters, “We trust that everything will end well, and we hope UEFA makes a decision.”
“Our players had just celebrated, that’s it, we wait for the verdict, but our players didn’t do anything wrong,” Ancelotti continued.
Despite trailing leaders Barcelona by three points in the standings, the Italian vowed to give his side everything to keep their LaLiga title. Both teams are still competing in the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
“Barcelona has an advantage, but we’ll fight until the last minute,” he said. There are 17 matches [in all competitions] that will be played until the end, according to Ancelotti.
Sharpshooters . pic. twitter.com/FgxDGSLPXd
What is the state of the LaLiga title race?
Barcelona’s victory on Thursday was also their title rivals’ game, and their three-point lead has also been bolstered by a goal difference that is 19 efforts over Real’s.
As they depart from Espanyol earlier in the day, Atletico Madrid will also be playing on Saturday.
Real’s cross-city rivals finish the day seven points clear of Barcelona’s top four.
In LaLiga, where are the legs?
Leganes enter the most recent round of matches in 18th place, which is their third relegation position in Spain’s top flight.
They have lost 13 of their 28 matches so far this season, only recording six victories.
What allegations surround Ancelotti?
On Wednesday, Ancelotti will go on trial in Spain for tax evasion charges.
The highly successful Italian coach is accused of defrauding the state of $1 million in 2014 and 2015, according to Spanish state prosecutor.
The trial date was set for Friday by a court in Madrid.
On two counts of tax fraud, state prosecutors are seeking a maximum sentence of four and nine months. In March of this year, they accused Ancelotti of using shell companies to conceal his real income.
Ancelotti has denied any wrongdoing.
Real Madrid team news
Due to a muscle strain, Real will miss goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for Saturday’s league game against Leganes. In advance of the Arsenal game, Vincelotti was hoping that other players would return.
Ancelotti stated that “Courtois has a minor issue,” and that “we are attempting to recover Ceballos and [Ferland] Mendy for the first leg against Arsenal.”
Leganes team news
After being injured in Leganes’ final LaLiga game before the international break, Yvan Noupa was forced to play a late fitness test following Real Betis’ 3-2 defeat.
Although Daniel Raba was also taken off during that game, he is expected to be healthy.
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply