Two clubs in opposite halves of the Spanish Liga table will do battle today in a league match between Real Madrid and Espanyol. The first-division clash scheduled for 10 a.m. ET will be held at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and can be live streamed here free.
For Real Madrid, today's match serves no purpose beyond preparing for the UEFA Champions League final. Ensuring fitness and preparation is at its peak remains the priority for Carlo Ancelotti, especially for Cristiano Ronaldo (h/t to Goal). "Cristiano Ronaldo will play because he is available and has no problems," Ancelotti told reporters.
"The team will be decided tomorrow. Only Pepe, Jese and Diego Lopez are not available. We'll give Sami Khedira some time because he needs it after a long period out. He did very well in Vigo for an hour and had no problems afterwards. He's an option for the Champions League final," he added.
"[Asier] Illarramendi is the first choice for the final. He is used to playing there and was signed to play there. I haven't changed my mind."
"He has the quality to play every game, whether it's important or not."
"We have a great atmosphere to help the team prepare for the final. We'll play with intensity because it is the last game in front of our fans. I think it will be a good atmosphere."
Will Real Madrid end the season with proper momentum ahead of their Champions League final? Tell us @SportsWN
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Real Madrid's Sami Khedira returned to the starting XI for the first time in 2014. With Xavi Alonso forced to miss the UEFA Champions League final with a yellow card accumulation suspension, Khedira will be forced to play an important role in the biggest match of the season. The 27-year-old completed 91.8 percent of his passes in Champions League play and is averaging 1.1 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match this season.
Real Madrid's Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Casillas; Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Arbeloa; Khedira, Alonso, Modric; Ronaldo, Morata, Bale
Espanyol's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Casilla; Fuentes, Colotto, Moreno, Lopez; Lopez, Sanchez; Simao, Pizzi, Stuani; Garcia
Spanish Liga Table
|
Rnk |
Team |
MP |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
+/- |
Pts |
|||
|
1 |
Atlético Madrid |
37 |
28 |
5 |
4 |
76 |
25 |
51 |
89 |
|||
|
2 |
FC Barcelona |
37 |
27 |
5 |
5 |
99 |
32 |
67 |
86 |
|||
|
3 |
Real Madrid |
37 |
26 |
6 |
5 |
101 |
37 |
64 |
84 |
|||
|
4 |
Athletic Club |
37 |
20 |
9 |
8 |
66 |
39 |
27 |
69 |
|||
|
5 |
Sevilla FC |
37 |
17 |
9 |
11 |
66 |
51 |
15 |
60 |
|||
|
6 |
Real Sociedad |
37 |
16 |
11 |
10 |
61 |
53 |
8 |
59 |
|||
|
7 |
Villarreal CF |
37 |
16 |
8 |
13 |
58 |
43 |
15 |
56 |
|||
|
8 |
Celta de Vigo |
37 |
14 |
7 |
16 |
48 |
52 |
-4 |
49 |
|||
|
9 |
Levante UD |
37 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
35 |
42 |
-7 |
48 |
|||
|
10 |
Valencia CF |
37 |
12 |
10 |
15 |
49 |
52 |
-3 |
46 |
|||
|
11 |
Rayo Vallecano |
37 |
13 |
4 |
20 |
45 |
78 |
-33 |
43 |
|||
|
12 |
RCD Espanyol |
37 |
11 |
9 |
17 |
40 |
48 |
-8 |
42 |
|||
|
13 |
Málaga CF |
37 |
11 |
9 |
17 |
38 |
46 |
-8 |
42 |
|||
|
14 |
Elche CF |
37 |
9 |
13 |
15 |
29 |
47 |
-18 |
40 |
|||
|
15 |
UD Almería |
37 |
11 |
6 |
20 |
43 |
71 |
-28 |
39 |
|||
|
16 |
Getafe CF |
37 |
10 |
9 |
18 |
33 |
53 |
-20 |
39 |
|||
|
17 |
Granada CF |
37 |
11 |
5 |
21 |
31 |
56 |
-25 |
38 |
|||
|
18 |
Osasuna |
37 |
9 |
9 |
19 |
30 |
61 |
-31 |
36 |
|||
|
19 |
Real Valladolid |
37 |
7 |
15 |
15 |
38 |
59 |
-21 |
36 |
|||
|
20 |
Real Betis |
37 |
6 |
7 |
24 |
35 |
76 |
-41 |
25 |
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