MADRID, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid make a short trip to play Leganes on Wednesday night in a Liga Santander game postponed from its scheduled date in December due to Madrid's commitments in the World Club Championship.
Zinedine Zidane's side travel after a 5-3 win away to Betis on Sunday night; another game which highlighted their strength in attack and their lapses in defense, while Leganes entertain their big-spending neighbors following a run of five games without a win, which includes three consecutive defeats.
The side coached by Asier Garitano appears to be paying for the effects their run to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey has had on a relatively small squad, but nobody will have forgotten that the Cup run saw perhaps the most glorious night in Leganes' history as they beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to reach the last four.
Real Madrid's players won't have forgotten that humiliation either and will be looking for revenge, although Zinedine Zidane will have to make some changes to his side due to Tony Kroos' knee injury and Marcelo's hamstring problem.
Nacho or Theo Hernandez will play at left back, knowing a good performance could see them retain the role until Marcelo returns, while Mateo Kovacic or Isco could replace Kroos.
However, most attention will be focused on Madrid's attack where fans and media and pressing for Marco Asensio to start after he was the catalyst in Madrid's Champions League fightback against Paris Saint Germain last week and the two goals he scored against Betis.
If Asensio plays Zidane will then have to decide whether he leaves Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema on the subs' bench, knowing that whatever decision he makes, it will be certain to cause some controversy.
