Real Madrid vs. Leganes: A Crucial Clash in Los Blancos Title Ambitions?
Real Madrid is looking to stay in the title race this Saturday versus CD Leganés with the season ending in May. The title race is very tight, with FC Barcelona currently in first place with 63 points while Real Madrid has 60 points in second place, and Atletico Madrid close behind with 56 points. The game versus CD Leganés is important to stay competitive in La Liga since Barcelona is currently ahead by three points in this title race. Real Madrid has been in decent form, only losing one out of the last seven games in all competitions, including the Champions League. Their last loss was versus Real Betis. The title chase is partially in their hands by being able to keep within reach of FC Barcelona while hoping they also drop points with a loss or ties before they play against each other for the final time in this iteration of La Liga on May 15th. El Clasico can be the final straw in helping decide the title winners this year. However, there is a long, difficult schedule ahead to get to this crucial game. If Los Blancos win this game, they can get there step by step.
CD Leganés: How Does Madrid Win?
CD Leganés is a lower team in the standings, so while this should be easy, upsets can always happen. Real Madrid has the ability to overwhelm this team with their plethora of options on offense. If both Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Júnior link up the way they have been in recent games, they should be able to flood in goals to punish CD Leganés. Mbappé is their current leader in goals, with 20 goals this season in La Liga. There is a chance certain players may be rested due to certain players coming back from playing with their national teams. This shouldn't be an issue for Los Blancos due to the great depth in their squad, especially in their midfield and forward three. Real Madrid should be able to control the midfield and prevent any surprise goals against them while simply outclassing their opponents in offense as well. I can definitely see Real Madrid rotating in some of their squad midfielders like Dani Ceballos and the fan favorite Luka Modrić to save their usual starting midfielders for more difficult opponents in the coming weeks against the likes of Valencia in La Liga and Arsenal in the UCL Quarterfinals. Real Madrid should be able to put all their pieces together and come up with the right formula in order to make CD Leganés crack.
How Does Los Blancos Lose?
In soccer, upsets can always happen, and Madrid is not immune to this. One of the things Real Madrid has been notorious for is suffering from defensive lapses, whether it be through the central defensive position or the left and right backs. They have dropped points versus Osasuna, Real Betis, and Espanyol in this fashion. While it may be less likely for Real Madrid to lose this game, it is still a possibility, even if in the slightest chance. These deficiencies that Real Madrid have in their defensive options have them looking at players for next season like Trent Alexander-Arnold or youngster from AFC Bournemouth Dean Huijsen to bolster their defensive depth and possibly solve some of the defensive woes they sometimes experience. If Real Madrid loses this game and falls prey to their issues, then winning La Liga will be much more difficult. Every point counts in this high-octane league.
