Real Madrid’s next challenge in the complicated schedule sees them lock horns with Osasuna at Santiago Bernabeu and a lot rides on the result.

Currently, on a streak of two straight losses, Los Blancos must stop the bleeding at the earliest and will hope to come out firing on all cylinders to turn their situation around.

It will not be easy, however, especially when one considers that Osasuna are the only team to have beaten Barcelona this season. Moreover, the manager is preparing special tactical adjustments to go all out against the wounded Real Madrid.

Target Vinicius

It is common knowledge that Kylian Mbappe has been disconnected from the rest of the Real Madrid team on the field and that he is largely underperforming for the hype around his name.

The biggest threat for Carlo Ancelotti’s side in attack, thus, is Vinicius Jr who has looked inspiring with his movement and dribbles. In fact, he has been one of the primary pillars behind the team’s decent results despite the desolate form.

Mundo Deportivo reveals that Osasuna manager Vicente Moreno has identified the same and that he is preparing a special plan to keep the Brazilian in check. He realises that if Vinicius is controlled, Real Madrid are largely nullified.

Osasuna come up with a plan to stop Vinicius. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

To keep the Brazilian under pressure, he plans to keep three players to defend against Vinicius alone in three different areas on the field.

Osasuna winger Ruben Pena will be the first line of defence against the Ballon d’Or runner-up and will look to press the player alongside his attacking duties.

In midfield, the work has been put on the shoulders of Jon Moncayola to selectively defend against Vinicius, especially in the early stages of Real Madrid’s buildup and counterattack.

The right-back Jesus Areso, meanwhile, will be the most crucial part of the puzzle as his duty tomorrow will be exclusively to defend against Vinicius and deny him entry points on the flank.

While the player has the quality to get past defenders with ease, finding his way through three players may well be a difficult task. Real Madrid thus need Kylian Mbappe to step up tomorrow, for it is high time he came good.