Carlo Ancelotti’s misfiring Real Madrid side will hope to make peace with their furious fans by claiming a win against Valencia based side Levante tonight in La Liga, a game which is being billed as an El Clasico trial run, in order to stay in touch with Barcelona.
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Los Blancos have come under fierce criticism from the national press and their own fans after squandering their lead in La Liga, having been overtaken by Barcelona, and the atmosphere at the Bernabeu described as “a pressure cooker” by Spanish paper Marca, quoted by MailSport.
Real Madrid will go to within one point of Barcelona if they win tonight against Levante, who are having a disappointing season and sit third bottom on goal difference. El Clasico at the Nou Camp takes place on March 22nd and will go some way to deciding the destination of this year’s league title.
Iker Casillas is expected to be dropped from the lineup for tonight’s game, in favour of Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, after a series of high profile mistakes from the veteran Spaniard. Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric are also expected to start, to gain match fitness before the showdown at the Nou Camp.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has claimed his side are “hurt”, but won’t let their heads drop as the season reaches it’s climax.
Barcelona continued their impressive form this weekend with a 2-0 away win at Eibar to go four points clear at the top of the table.