Real Madrid’s Title Defense Faces Osasuna Challenge
As Real Madrid navigates through a crucial European campaign, they must now confront Osasuna and their prolific striker Ante Budimir at El Sadar on February 15. The match comes at a pivotal moment for the La Liga leaders, who recently secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Manchester City in their Champions League playoff first leg.
Ancelotti’s squad maintains a delicate advantage in La Liga, leading Atletico Madrid by just one point and Barcelona by two. The timing of this fixture, sandwiched between two vital Champions League matches, adds extra pressure to their title defense.
Osasuna, currently ninth in the standings, has proven particularly formidable at home against Spain’s elite clubs. Their impressive 4-2 victory over Barcelona earlier this season, which marked the Catalans’ first league defeat, serves as a testament to their capability to upset the hierarchy.
Budimir’s Goal-Scoring Prowess
Ante Budimir has emerged as Osasuna’s primary weapon, with an impressive tally of 12 league goals this season. The Croatian striker, who recently became the club’s all-time top foreign goalscorer, sits behind only Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Mbappe in the scoring charts. Since his arrival from Mallorca in 2020, he has accumulated 62 goals, including a recent double against Real Sociedad that ended Osasuna’s nine-match winless streak.
Manager Vicente Moreno praised his striker’s consistency: “Budimir is making history, doing what he does best, and shows no signs of stopping. His daily dedication has earned him his place, and his goal-scoring form is invaluable to us.”
The hosts will look to capitalize on Madrid’s defensive vulnerabilities, similar to how Haaland exploited them in the Champions League. However, they’ll need to overcome the absence of suspended center-back Flavien Boyomo, who recently scored their equalizer against Mallorca.
Carlo Ancelotti remains confident in his team’s trajectory, stating after the City victory: “The quality of this team is never in doubt – this is the way forward. This is where the season really starts.”
The title race continues to intensify as Atletico Madrid prepares to face Celta Vigo following Madrid’s match, while Barcelona awaits their fixture against Rayo Vallecano on February 19.
Don’t miss this crucial La Liga clash! Watch Real Madrid take on Osasuna live at El Sadar – your chance to witness potential title-defining action unfold.
