Osasuna vs Real Madrid discussion

"Osasuna are a tough team to beat at home. They are very organised and it is important to be focused and do our best to win. The team’s attitude is good and we are playing with clear ideas. We are doing very well at the moment and we have to keep it going because the season is long. We have to keep playing with the same attitude and getting good results".

"I will not make many changes from the Copenhagen match. The players are well recovered after Tuesday and we have to give our all because it is always a difficult place to visit". He was emphatic when asked whether there could be a repeat of what happened away against Rayo Vallecano tomorrow: "We have improved since the match against Rayo Vallecano. Now we are playing together, with chemistry and it will be different".

Real Madrid are going to appeal Sergio Ramos’ first booking picked up against Osasuna at the weekend, to avert a selection headache against Valencia.

Los Blancos are currently facing next Sunday’s trip to Mestalla with only Nacho available in the centre of defence.

On from Raphael Varane’s continued struggles with his knee, Pepe is facing an automatic one-match ban for picking up a fifth booking of the League season on Saturday at Osasuna, whilst Ramos is facing a game out for his dismissal in the same match.

However, Madrid are believed to be appealing the latter’s potential suspension, by taking to the Competition Committee the argument that the first yellow should not stand.

Ramos was cautioned for a challenge on Alvaro Cejudo, but replays have shown that no contact between the players was apparent, whilst the referee’s match notes have highlighted such a belief.

AS report, though, that of the last 20 appeals taken to the Competition and Appeals Committees since 2009, Madrid have been successful only four times.

Ramos’ red card at the weekend was the 18th of his professional career so far.