Real Madrid vs. Leganes | La Liga | Pre Match
Real Madrid vs. Leganes
Real Madrid will resume their La Liga campaign with a home fixture against struggling Leganes on Saturday night, a match that pits the reigning Spanish and European champions against a side battling to preserve their top-flight status. Los Blancos currently sit second in the La Liga table, trailing leaders Barcelona only on the head-to-head tiebreaker, with both teams locked at 60 points after 28 matches. Real Madrid’s season has been a blend of brilliance and inconsistency, their record of 18 wins, six draws, and four defeats reflecting a team that has yet to hit its peak but remains firmly in contention for major honors. Leganes, by contrast, languish in 18th place, level on points with 17th-placed Alaves in a desperate scrap to avoid relegation. The disparity between the two sides is stark, with Real Madrid chasing a treble across La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, while Leganes cling to the hope of survival in their first season back in the top tier. However, the Bernabeu clash carries its own intrigue, as Leganes have shown flashes of resilience against elite opposition this term, and Real Madrid’s packed schedule—coupled with the toll of international duty—could level the playing field ever so slightly.
Real Madrid’s position in the title race remains precarious, with Barcelona holding a game in hand that could see them extend their lead to three points before Saturday’s kickoff. The Catalans face Osasuna on Thursday night, meaning Carlo Ancelotti’s side might enter the Leganes fixture under added pressure to respond. Los Blancos headed into the March international break on a high, however, buoyed by a 2-1 victory over Villarreal in which Kylian Mbappe’s brace secured the points and stretched their winning streak to four matches across all competitions. That run has kept them in the hunt for a treble, with Arsenal awaiting in the Champions League quarter-finals and Real Sociedad set to visit for the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final next week. While Real Madrid have not consistently reached the heights of their trophy-laden past this season—lacking the fluidity and dominance that once defined them—they remain a formidable force, their squad depth and individual brilliance keeping them in contention on multiple fronts. The Bernabeu has been a fortress in La Liga, with Real Madrid amassing 34 points from 13 home matches, the best record in the division, a stark contrast to Leganes’ paltry 10 points from 14 away games. For Ancelotti, this fixture offers a chance to maintain momentum, but the specter of fatigue looms large, with key players returning from international duty just days before the clash.
Leganes, meanwhile, are a team fighting for their La Liga lives, their season a tale of grit and grind rather than glamour. The reigning Segunda Division champions have endured a predictably tough return to the top flight, their record of seven wins, seven draws, and 13 losses leaving them teetering on the edge of the drop zone. March began brightly with a 1-0 victory over Getafe, a result that hinted at a potential turning point, but consecutive defeats to Celta Vigo and Real Betis before the international break have dragged them back into the mire. Despite their struggles, Leganes have shown they can rise to the occasion against elite opposition, most notably with a stunning 1-0 win away to Barcelona just before the winter break—a result that stunned the footballing world and offered a glimmer of hope in their survival bid. Their encounters with Real Madrid this season, however, tell a different story: a 3-0 league defeat in November was followed by a 3-2 loss in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals last month, underlining the gulf in class between the sides. Historically, Leganes have never beaten Real Madrid in La Liga, losing seven and drawing two of their nine meetings, with those draws coming on home soil. The last league clash at the Bernabeu, in October 2019, ended in a 5-0 rout for the hosts, a reminder of the daunting task awaiting Borja Jimenez’s men on Saturday night.
Real Madrid’s squad, while depleted by injuries, remains a powerhouse capable of overwhelming lesser opponents. Long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao continue their recoveries, with both making strides toward potential returns before the season’s end, though they will miss out against Leganes. Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, and Jesus Vallejo are also sidelined, but Ancelotti has avoided fresh setbacks during the international break, with stars like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham all available after their national team commitments. Mbappe, in particular, has been a revelation since joining from Paris Saint-Germain, his 31 goals and eight assists in 42 appearances across all competitions marking him as the linchpin of Real Madrid’s attack. His brace against Villarreal showcased his lethal finishing, and he will be eager to add to his tally against a Leganes defense that has struggled on the road. Vinicius Junior and Antonio Rudiger, who were rested on the bench last time out, are set to return to the starting XI, while Fran Garcia should hold his place at left-back in Mendy’s absence. Ancelotti may tweak his lineup to manage fatigue, but the core of his side remains intact, blending youth, experience, and world-class talent in a way that few teams can match.
Leganes, by contrast, are hampered by a thinner squad and a growing injury list. Left-back Enric Franquesa remains out with a long-term knee injury, while Diego Garcia and Yvan Neyou face late fitness tests to determine their availability, leaving Jimenez with limited room to maneuver. Despite these setbacks, there are bright spots: Dani Raba’s brace against Real Betis before the break earned him a likely start up top, his physical presence offering a focal point in attack. Juan Cruz, meanwhile, has been a standout performer this season, his two goals against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey highlighting his threat from wide areas. With seven goals and four assists in 32 appearances, the 24-year-old has emerged as a key figure in Leganes’ campaign, and his pace could test Real Madrid’s makeshift backline. Jimenez will hope his side’s freshness—spared the rigors of international duty that taxed Real Madrid’s stars—gives them an edge, but their dismal away form and historical struggles against Los Blancos suggest an uphill battle looms at the Bernabeu.
The broader context of this fixture amplifies its importance for both teams. For Real Madrid, a win is essential to keep pace with Barcelona and maintain their treble ambitions, with the Champions League and Copa del Rey offering additional paths to glory in a season that has yet to fully ignite. Leganes, meanwhile, are in survival mode, their level points with Alaves making every match a must-win as they seek to climb out of the relegation zone. While their Barcelona scalp proves they can stun the giants, replicating that feat at the Bernabeu—where Real Madrid have lost just once in La Liga this term—feels like a tall order. Mbappe’s form, Vinicius’s flair, and Bellingham’s dynamism give Ancelotti’s side a clear edge, but Leganes’ desperation could make them a thornier opponent than their record suggests. As Saturday night descends on the Spanish capital, the Bernabeu braces for a clash that, while seemingly lopsided, carries the potential for drama in a season full of twists.
