Preview: Racing vs Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo and seven others in the Real Madrid will miss the match; also Adrian and five more in Racing de Santander. There will be no "jamón serrano" in the VIP box, by imperative of Alí Syed, "the undefeated", and public to fill the Sardinero Stadium; Marcelino (Racing coach) effect is not enough to overcome the 60 euros for the cheapest ticket. What you will not miss is the match.

In one month, Real Madrid lost five points in Pamplona and A Coruña, evidence that costs climb the "north face" of the League. And in three days has lost six players, evidence that no template is sufficient. Today team comes out to play 10 points behind Barcelona and 8 injured players: Cristiano and his possible release, Kaka who is felled possibly run out, the multipurpose Arbeloa, Garay, Higuain and three midfielders to defend, Khedira, Lass and Gago. Among all, 36 goals and 15 assists. And Real Madrid does not win nearly half of the matches played without Cristiano.

The plague forced Mourinho to improvise, possibly with Pepe as midfielder with Xabi and Granero; or Sergio Canales in the playmaker, behind Benzema. It is also not ruled out to play with a higher gear with Granero in the midfield and Benzema with Adebayor in the same eleven. Pedro Leon is out of the match, minutes, and confidence. So long in the bench sets him out of the season.

About Cristiano: "He is an important player and we will miss him, but his absence will not affect our ambition. I am convinced that we will accomplish our goal in Santander. We have good players who are focused on the task at hand”, declared Mourinho during Saturday’s press conference.

Racing is in a better mood. In the VIP area, Ali Syed uses only his hands to celebrate triumphs. Undefeated in six games. And in the field, Marcelino offers the best average of his career: two points and 1.75 goals per game. He already won once Capello's Real Madrid, 0-3 with Recreativo de Huelva which signed six players in the last two days of August. Marcelino is a good coach and will pretend the absences of Cisma, Arana, Henrique and Adrian, despite the last two had been starters all the matches with him.

Giovani, only signing of the winter market, rises from lever to starter. He has already played more in the League than the rest of the season in the Premier and will try to straighten a waning career since he left Barcelona. Today he will be next to Rosenberg who has failed 19 times in the hand to hand against the goalkeeper in this season, Kennedy and the eternal Munitis. Marcelino's message sounds brave.