Di María back for Real Madrid
Ángel Di María has recovered from his latest hamstring injury and will be part of the Real Madrid squad for Saturday’s game with Osasuna.
The news was revealed by Madrid boss José Mourinho at a Press conference on Friday, during which he also confirmed that German international midfielder Sami Khedira will miss the game at the Reyno de Navarra through illness, although he did not specify what it was.
“Di María will travel today but he is still unable to play 90 minutes,” he said. “The question I have still to answer is if he starts the match and doesn’t finish it or comes off the bench to play the time we think.”
“Khedira cannot play. He is ill, so I need to think again about the centre of my midfield and for me that is something new.” he added, before denying he was planning on playing a ‘trivote’.
Argentine international Di María last played in a 4-0 home victory over Racing Santander in mid-February when he was returning from a third hamstring injury of the season, only to suffer another misfortune when he damaged a thigh muscle that has kept him out for six weeks.
Mourinho is aware the Osasuna game is a potential banana skin for his league leaders as Los Rojillos are traditionally strong at home, having lost just two games all season to Racing Santander and Atlético Madrid. There was also a famous 3-2 victory over Barcelona at the beginning of February after they had previously been thrashed 8-0 at the Camp Nou earlier in the season.
“Osasuna have a certain style of play and that is their best quality,” said Mourinho. “I expect them to be like they usually are. They will fight, be aggressive and play direct football in front of great support from their fans. It is very difficult for any team to win in Pamplona but we want the points to help achieve our aims.
“There are nine games of the season left and this is the first of them we would like to win. We have to try to play well and nothing more.”
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