Almeria vs. Real Madrid: Issues and Decisions That Will Shape La Liga Game
Real Madrid will play their last league match of 2014 when they travel south to take on Almeria on Friday night.
If they win, they will open up a five-point gap at the top of the Primera Liga table—at least until Barcelona play against Getafe in the Spanish capital on Saturday.
However, by the time Madrid next play a domestic match, against Valencia in January, they may have been knocked off their perch.
Their participation at the Club World Cup means they have to postpone a league game, so if Barca win their next two matches, they will jump back to the top of La Liga.
All Madrid can do, though, is focus on the games they have and their winning record.
Here, B/R takes a look at the issues that could shape their game with Almeria.
Win Number 20?
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Real Madrid don't look like a team about to get complacent.
If anything, it is their individual hunger that could get the better of them—Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Javier Hernandez were all guilty being greedy against Ludogorets on Tuesday night.
However, in the games that really matter, Los Blancos have looked completely at ease as a team.
They've won 19 matches in a row, a Spanish record, and are now focusing on the world record, which was set at 24 games by Brazilian side Coritiba in 2011.
You have to imagine their relentless drive for wins—and Ronaldo's never-ending pursuit of goals—will be too much for Almeria.
Midfield Shortage
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Carlo Ancelotti's midfield picks itself at the moment.
Injuries to Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Sami Khedira leave him with just three players to pick from to fill his three midfield roles.
Fortunately, one of them is Toni Kroos, who has not stopped growing as a Real Madrid player since he joined from Bayern Munich in the summer.
The other two arrived 12 months before the German: Asier Illarramendi and Isco.
The Almeria game should be Illarramendi's third consecutive start. Though he performed well against Celta Vigo and Ludogorets, he doesn't look like forcing Modric down the pecking order.
Isco's form, though, has been exceptional, and he's desperately close to securing a regular spot in Ancelotti's side, regardless of the injury problems.
Alvaro Medran, 20, is the fourth option—he scored as a substitute in the Champions League in midweek.
Sacked Manager Effect
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There is a myth in football that teams win the next match after they sack their manager.
While it's true that there is often a reaction—Real Sociedad beat Atletico Madrid in their first game after getting rid of Jagoba Arrasate—a victory certainly isn't a given.
Almeria dismissed Francisco Rodriguez earlier this week, per Sport, and their players will be hoping to make a positive response against the European champions on Friday night.
Early suggestions were that they would have a new man in place for the match.
However, they are yet to appoint a new coach and, as things stand, will be under the rule of Miguel Rivera when kick-off comes around.
Can they respond? Or is the task too big?
Update: Almeria appointed Juan Ignacio Martinez as manager on Thursday evening, per FIFA, but he won't start his new job until Saturday.
Madrid's Full-Backs
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An interesting situation has arisen in the full-back department at Real Madrid.
It is clear that Dani Carvajal and Marcelo are the favoured options, but Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Coentrao have done well when given a chance in the Champions League.
Speaking on Thursday, per Marca, Ancelotti suggested that they hadn't done enough to dislodge Carvajal or Marcelo.
The Italian said Marcelo is the best left-back in the world and that it doesn't mean anything that Carvajal has not played in European competition this season.
Both should be in the side to provide their defensive and attacking attributes against Almeria.
Ruben Martinez
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He wasn't overworked, but Ruben Martinez was good when Almeria were beaten by Barcelona.
The Andalusians took a first-half lead before coming under siege from the Catalans; Ruben, with four saves, and the woodwork, which wobbled thrice, almost kept them at bay.
However, Barca eventually sneaked a 2-1 win, although that game will serve as a warning for Carlo Ancelotti—a warning that he should not take the game lightly.
If Almeria are going to get any kind of positive result, then Ruben will have to have a very good game.
Defenders Mauro Dos Santos and Angel Trujillo will also have to impress.
