Spanish La Liga: Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid, Alonso emotional about facing former side
Real Madrid got off to a shaky start in the season’s La Liga campaign. They drew their opening game 0-0 and barely managed a win against Osasuna. However, Jose Mourinho’s side is starting to look more confident after they beat
Ajax in mid week. The Spanish giants are starting to look more and more like their former, trophy winning selves and will attempt to take all three points from tonight’s match.
Mourinho was brought to Madrid for just this reason; the Portuguese manager has a thing with winning silverware and already Madrid look strong contenders for the La Liga crown, leading rivals Barcelona by a point. If they continue
on like this, there is no doubt that Real Madrid will win the title this season.
The main problem that Real Madrid are facing at the moment is the poor form of their star player Ronaldo. The former Manchester United did not have the desired impact upon joining Madrid but it was hoped that the arrival of Mourinho
at the club would change that. So far, there has been no change, the Portuguese has more shots on targets and fewer goals.
Mourinho is confident that his 4-2-3-1 formation will be the difference in the match and that the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria will be essential in grabbing the win. Madrid also
received a boost with the news of Sergio Ramos’ return. The defender will be expected to start at the right back position. Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso maintain their positions in midfield.
Expected Madrid line up: Casillas; Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Di Maria, Oezil, Ronaldo; Higuain.
Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool and Real Sociedad midfielder revealed that the return to Real Sociedad would be an emotional experience for him. He told reporters, “There are three points at stake and for the 90 minutes we will
be rivals, despite the fact that I've always been and always will be a Real Sociedad supporter. It's always nice to go back home. I've always been very well received there.”
Alonso did not come up against Real Sociedad last season with Madrid as the side was still in the second division. However, they have now been promoted and will look to rattle Madrid. Despite claiming that he was attached to the
club, he insisted that it was his number one aim to ensure all three points, saying there was no case of “divided loyalties”.
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