Real Madrid will welcome back the added firepower of talisman Cristiano
Ronaldo and striker Karim Benzema when they entertain promoted Osasuna
in La Liga on Saturday.
Real's all-time top scorer Ronaldo missed their first two league games
of the season and their European Super Cup triumph over Sevilla while
recovering from a knee injury he sustained playing in the Euro 2016
final for Portugal.
He told reporters on Thursday, however, that he would face Osasuna, declaring: "I'm ready".
Spanish newspaper Marca reported earlier in the week that the forward,
who scored 35 goals in 36 league games last season, will play 60 minutes
against Osasuna as coach Zinedine Zidane eases him back into action.
Benzema has been recovering from a hip injury sustained towards the end
of last season, but is expected to start alongside Ronaldo and Gareth
Bale, allowing Zidane to field his first choice 'BBC' attack for the
first time this season.
Real barely noticed the absence of their two forwards as they eased to a
3-0 win over Real Sociedad in their opening game thanks to goals by
Bale and youngster Marco Asensio, although they then laboured to a 2-1
win over Celta Vigo.
"I'm excited about our game with Osasuna, they will make things
difficult for us but it'll be fantastic because we'll have our full team
available," Bale told reporters on Wednesday.
Champions Barcelona and Las Palmas are the only other teams in the league to have won two games this season.
Barca will be boosted in attack this weekend by the return of Brazil
forward Neymar, who missed the start of the season to play at the
Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, leading his country to their first soccer
gold medal.
Neymar also scored the winning goal in Brazil's 2-1 World Cup qualifier win over Colombia on Tuesday.
Luis Enrique's side, however, could be without Lionel Messi after he
returned early from international duty suffering with discomfort in his
groin, the same injury he was carrying when he travelled to his home
country to play against Uruguay.
Messi's absence could free up a place in the starting line-up for new
signing Paco Alcacer, who joined Barcelona from Valencia for €30 million
at the end of last month.
"If the coach decides I can play, a footballer always has to be ready
for everything, especially at a club like Barcelona," Alcacer said on
Thursday at his presentation.
Atletico Madrid travel to Celta Vigo in Saturday's early game while
league leaders Las Palmas, who are top on goal difference, travel to
Sevilla.
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