FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is likely to have only two central defenders available for his side's rescheduled La Liga game at home to Osasuna on Thursday night.
After Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti issued a warning towards La Liga claiming his side will not take the pitch if they are made to play two games in a period of less than 72 hours, La Liga president Javier Tebas pointed out that Los Blancos will be playing in a period shorter than 72 hours in the coming weeks due to their own demands.
La Liga goes into its last round of matches before the first international break of 2025. Former champions Barcelona will be hoping to extend their lead by adding to their current tally of 57 points from 26 matches.
The Spanish La Liga has experienced quite a few changes every weekend as the race for the title hots up after Real Madrid were held to a draw.
Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona are both looking to capitalise on Real Madrid's jam-packed fixture schedule to maintain pressure in the La Liga title race this weekend.
La Liga leaders Real Madrid will be hosting their neighbours Atletico Madrid for the second Madrid Derby this season.
Valencia and Real Madrid get the La Liga underway in 2025 on Friday in a match that could see Real go top, ahead of cross-town rivals Atletico and five points clear of archrivals FC Barcelona.
Diego Simeone has been named the Best La Liga Coach in December, an award for Atletico de Madrid’s sensational month of December which has seen the club rise to the top of the standings in the league.
The win lifts Barca six points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and also means Real Madrid's run of 42 La Liga games without defeat comes to an end, reports Xinhua.
Captain Luka Modric became the oldest player to compete in an official match in Real Madrid's history in Vigo. The Croatian appeared in the match against Celta in Balaidos at the age of 39 years and 40 days, surpassing Ferenc Puskas' previous record.
