Leganés boss secretive in Real Madrid preparation
Asier Garitano gives his team a day off two days before Real Madrid match, they'll train on Tuesday in private as he keeps his cards close to his chest
Leganés will be fully refreshed when they host Real Madrid at Butarque on Wednesday evening. At least, that is the intention of their coach. Asier Garitano has given his players a day off on Monday, just 48 hours before they face Los Blancos in La Liga.
Four days enough for Real Madrid preparation
Last Friday, in the press conference before Leganés' trip to Real Sociedad, Garitano stated that the time between the two matches (almost four days), would allow him to pick his strongest team in both matches, without the need for rotation.
“When the match finishes [in San Sebastián] we will turn our thoughts to the next one. Four days is enough time. We will need to be at our best in Anoeta, and in the following match,” he said.
The match in the Basque Country ended as a 1-1 draw.
Garitano secretive
Yet Garitano is keeping his cards close to his chest leading up to the visit of Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid. He will lead a training session behind closed doors on Tuesday, and this secrecy has sewed seeds of doubt as to how Leganés will line up on Wednesday.
In recent weeks, Garitano has opted for stability. He has picked overwhelmingly similar starting line ups, with occasional tinkering to allow for tactical oscillation between a 4-2-3-1 formation and a 5-4-1.
El Zhar a doubt for Leganés
Nabil El Zhar is a doubt for the home side. The Moroccan winger has been suffering with mumps, and Garitano may wait until Leganés visit Pamplona before reintroducing him. All will be revealed when the coach reveals his hand on Wednesday. On the morning of the match, Garitano will lead a final training session (also behind closed doors).
A selection of Leganés season ticket-holders will be unable to attend the big match; the club revoked their membership following an illegal ticket re-sale operation.
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