Real Madrid’s possible starting XI for the LaLiga game vs Osasuna

Ancelotti has some crucial decisions to make ahead of a potential banana skin game against a resilient Osasuna in LaLiga.

Real Madrid welcome Osasuna to the Santiago Bernabéu on match day nine of the LaLiga 23/24 season. Los Blancos are currently at the top of the division and they will be looking to win again and pile more pressure on Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, who are trailing slightly behind.

They will know before the game kicks off what the other team around them - Girona - have done in their game against Cádiz, something which adds an extra spice to the already tasty fixture in the Spanish capital, the last one before the international break that lasts almost two weeks.

In between the sticks there is no doubt as to who is set to start: Kepa will be the man in goal. The stopper comes off the back of a wobbly error against Napoli, but Carlo trusts the player over Lunin and there is little to no possibility of a change.

As for the defence, get ready to roll up your sleeves. Real Madrid have just one available centre-back in the entire senior squad: Rüdiger. Militão and Alaba are injured while Nacho will serve the first of his three-match suspension for his horror challenge on Portu against Girona. Madrid have appealed and they are awaiting a verdict on a reduced punishment which would see him back for the upcoming Clásico on October 28.

As a result of this lack of defenders, Ancelotti has to choose who is going to stop the emergency alarms and fill the gap at the back. It will most likely be Tchouaméni who plays alongside Rüdiger, as the Frenchman has been learning the position all week in training. Another option for the central spot is Ferland Mandy, but Ancelotti hinted in his pre-match press duties that the