Osasuna vs Real Madrid preview - Gracia focused on more than Ronaldo

Posted Friday, December 13, 2013 by PA

Osasuna coach Javi Gracia has warned his side not to simply focus on Cristiano Ronaldo in Saturday's clash with Real Madrid.

The Portugal forward has scored 26 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions for his club this season, in addition to firing his country to the World Cup.

But Gracia told Osasuna's website: "(Real) are a team with a lot of strength in their attack.

"The number of goals from Cristiano Ronaldo tells you he is a player to be reckoned with but I worry about everything, especially the potential of their three forwards who are the top scorers."

He added: "We will think about what we can control.

"We face an opponent with an average of five goals per game. There I see the difficulties, but I also see possibilities playing at home."

Indeed, Osasuna's home record against Real is surprisingly impressive in recent years.

Despite holding a virtual duopoly with rivals Barcelona over La Liga, Real have won just once in their last five visits to El Sadar.

And Osasuna goalkeeper Andres Fernandez also believes his side can continue to cause them problems in Pamplona.

"We are facing one of the best teams in the world and, therefore, a team that will ask a lot of us collectively and individually," he told the club's official website.

"We can win but we have to be very focused, knowing that any mistake can cost us dearly.

"We must go out without fear and everyone must give everything they have, knowing that Real Madrid always suffer here."

Osasuna will be without injured trio Miguel De las Cuevas, Sisi and Nino, plus the suspended Patxi Punal.

For Real, Luka Modric has trained fully after suffering a knee injury in the Champions League clash against Copenhagen but could sit out, with Asier Illarramendi in line to deputise.

Defender Sergio Ramos returns after missing the midweek game due to a European suspension while Dani Carvajal will battle with Alvaro Arbeloa for the right-back berth.

Fellow defenders Raphael Varane and Fabio Coentrao and midfielder Sami Khedira are out injured.