Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid squad list to face CA Osasuna
Real Madrid will be aiming to cut down the gap to leaders Barcelona to just five points when they face off against CA Osasuna away in Pamplona on Saturday night.
Coming into the game on the back of a resounding 4-0 win over Elche earlier this week, Carlo Ancelotti & co. will be aiming to grab all three points against Jagoba Arrasate’s side who had held them to a 1-1 draw before the World Cup break.
On the eve of the game, manager Ancelotti has released the squad list that will be travelling to El Sadar for the clash.
As the Italian tactician had confirmed in his pre-match presser, Karim Benzema misses out due to fatigue, with the Real Madrid captain being rested ahead of the Liverpool clash next week.
Meanwhile, Toni Kroos, who is yet to recover from gastroenteritis, also misses out for the second game in a row. Mariano Diaz and Ferland Mendy also remain absent for the champions.
Eden Hazard makes a return to the squad after recovering from his injury. Ancelotti has also called up young striker Alvaro Rodriguez for the contest in the absence of Benzema.
First-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is also back in the travelling party and could return to the lineup against Osasuna. Vinicius Junior has also returned to the roster after missing the last game due to suspension for accumulation of cards.
📋✅ ¡Nuestros convocados para el partido 🆚 @Osasuna!#OsasunaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/Gu2P3cmMYm
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 17, 2023
Although Antonio Rudiger has had success since joining Real Madrid last summer, the club are in need of more depth and players that can form the backbone of the defensive unit in the years to come.
As part of their plans, Real Madrid are prioritising a move for Josko Gvardiol in the coming summer, reports 90 Min.
The outlet suggests Gvardiol will be one of the most wanted prospects in the market, with both Real Madrid and Manchester City eyeing a move for the Croatian international come the end of the season.
Formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol has enjoyed immense success since his move to the Bundesliga in 2021. He has impressed onlookers with his skill, organisation and discipline, which, coupled with his versatility, make him an appealing target for any European giant.
Gvardiol was also one of the top performers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping Croatia finish third in the competition. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the clubs who have been keeping an eye on the defender for a while now.
However, signing Gvardiol will be a tricky task for Los Blancos. The player still has a long-term contract at Leipzig and could cost up to €85 million, as reported by 90 Min. Not to mention, the competition from Man City could be significant.
Real Madrid have no shortage of alternatives, though, with the club notably closely monitoring Portuguese defensive whizkid Antonio Silva, among others. So it will be interesting to see how the Spanish giants approach the market in this coming summer.
