Malaga vs. Real Madrid: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info
Two down, two to go.
For Real Madrid, the halfway point of a challenging four-game stretch has been reached safely and with relative comfort. On Wednesday, four days after a 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao, Madrid put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over AS Roma.
Malaga now await. Atletico Madrid loom after them.
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As had been the case at the Bernabeu last weekend, Madrid were hardly vintage at the Stadio Olimpico, but in both wins an important quality was tapped into. Against Athletic, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez both produced hammer blows from nowhere; against Roma, Ronaldo and Jese did.
Such a trait is one historically associated with Madrid, but for large periods this season it’s been missing. Away from home, Los Blancos have struggled. In tight encounters, they’ve failed to land knockout blows. That something-from-nothing quality had escaped them, but now it’s back. And most importantly, it’s back in Ronaldo.
Against Athletic, the Portuguese hit peak Ronaldo; against Roma, he briefly did so again. “The beast awakens,” said Marca.
Now Madrid need that to continue, starting with Sunday’s trip to La Rosaleda to face Malaga.
A suddenly surging Malaga.
Things have changed drastically down on Spain’s south coast. Earlier in the season, Javi Gracia’s men looked strong candidates to be relegated as they trudged through the opening six games of the campaign without a single goal.
By Week 14, the Andalusians had just two wins; a summer of departures was taking its toll, the faces of Samu Castillejo, Samuel, Sergi Darder and Juanmi being badly missed.
But not anymore.
Malaga have now won six of their last 10 in the league to rocket up the table. Adventurous, energetic and furiously hard working, Gracia’s team have found new life. In a throwback 4-4-2, a forward pairing of Charles and Duje Cop has become a handful; in midfield, Recio and Ignacio Camacho have been rock solid; out wide, Juanpi has been a revelation.
Malaga now know what they’re doing and do it well. Last month, as the hosts pressed the life out of the them, Barcelona endured their toughest day of the season at La Rosaleda. Before them, Atletico did as well.
Madrid won’t get away easily either.
“Our team is brave,” said Gracia on Saturday. “The excitement is palpable.”
Match Details
Date: Sunday, February 21
Time: 3 p.m. GMT / 10 a.m. ET/ 4 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio La Rosaleda, Malaga, Spain
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)
Form Lines
| L: 0-1 vs. Villarreal | W: 2-0 vs. Roma |
| W: 3-0 vs. Getafe | W: 4-2 vs. Athletic Bilbao |
| W: 2-1 vs. Eibar | W: 2-1 vs. Granada |
| L: 1-2 vs. Barcelona | W: 6-0 vs. Espanyol |
| L: 1-2 vs. Sevilla | D: 1-1 vs. Real Betis |
| D: 1-1 vs. Las Palmas | W: 5-1 vs. Sporting Gijon |
Team News
For Malaga, Recio is available after serving a one-game suspension against Villarreal and will slot straight back into the centre of midfield alongside Camacho. That pair will likely be flanked by Juanpi and Pablo Fornals in a four-man line, the latter getting another chance because of injuries to Gonzalo Castro and Juan Carlos.
Elsewhere, no changes are expected from the clash with Villarreal, meaning Gracia will again use two up front in the form of Charles and Cop, who have given Malaga a real presence in attack in recent months.
For Real Madrid, Raphael Varane is unavailable through suspension after picking up two yellow cards against Athletic Bilbao last weekend. Given that Pepe remains sidelined as well, Nacho will step in alongside Sergio Ramos in the centre of defence.
Flanking them, Dani Carvajal and Marcelo are expected to continue at the full-back posts, the latter having completed 90 minutes against Roma despite dislocating his shoulder against Granada earlier this month.
In attack, meanwhile, Karim Benzema has been ruled out with a knock to his hip, per Marca, opening the door for Jese to make his first start under Zidane.
Predicted Lineups
In the Spotlight
The spotlight rarely shines on Real Madrid’s Nacho. At the Bernabeu, the Spaniard has essentially become a permanent contingency plan, used as cover for anyone and anywhere across the back four.
Already this season, Nacho has played at both centre-back and left-back. In the heart of the defence, he’s stood alongside Varane and Pepe. But never Ramos. In fact, on Sunday, Nacho and Ramos will partner one another for the first time in two years.
“The odd couple,” said Marca.
A meeting with Malaga is an interesting time for an unfamiliar pair to come together. When Barcelona visited La Rosaleda in January and endured a torrid first half, it was Malaga’s intense pressuring of Thomas Vermaelen and Javier Mascherano that was the catalyst for the hosts’ success and Barcelona’s headaches.
On Sunday, Madrid, Ramos and Nacho will likely face something similar. Cop and Charles will hassle them high up. The midfield will support them again and again. Juanpi will wait, ready to pounce.
Stepping in with just 25 minutes of playing time to his name in almost two months, Nacho in particular will have his hands full.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Malaga: 15-4
Draw: 3-1
Real Madrid: 20-29
