Las Palmas prepares for redemption against Real Madrid 

In the aftermath of the controversial refereeing decisions during the Real Madrid-Almeria match, Las Palmas is gearing up to host Carlo Ancelotti’s team this Saturday at the Estadio de Gran Canaria. Undeterred by the recent controversies, Las Palmas remains confident in its ability to challenge the Spanish Super Cup champions and secure three crucial points.

Both publicly and privately, the sentiment within Las Palmas is unanimous – the previous encounter with Real Madrid was an anomaly in their otherwise competitive season. Coach García Pimienta has underscored this point, hinting that the earlier defeat may have been influenced by extensive lineup rotations at the Bernabéu.

On September 27, less-familiar faces took the field, prompting questions about the impact of numerous changes. Notably, players like Curbelo, Cristian Herrera, Sinkgraven, Mfulu, and Sory Kaba started alongside regulars Valles, Coco, Javi Muñoz, and the now-departed Jonathan Viera. Despite the team’s relaxed atmosphere after securing a victory against Granada, they faced a challenging encounter in Madrid.

The 2-0 loss, the heaviest defeat for Las Palmas this season, emphasized a valuable lesson – the importance of fielding the first-choice lineup to effectively compete against any team. The regulars showcased their significance by stepping up in subsequent matches, highlighting the team’s competitive spirit.

Possession

Las Palmas has recognized the need to be more direct in their attacks, learning from their possession-dominant style against Real Madrid earlier. While they’ve maintained possession in most games this season, their horizontal play hindered them from creating sufficient goal-scoring opportunities. Recent adjustments in strategy resulted in victories against Villarreal (3-0) and Rayo Vallecano (0-2).

Furthermore, Las Palmas is cognizant of defensive challenges, understanding that any lapse invites danger, particularly against formidable opponents like Real Madrid. Despite Real Madrid scoring fewer goals than most teams, Las Palmas remains vigilant, recognizing the potential threat they pose.

As they prepare for the rematch against Real Madrid, the team aims to apply lessons learned from the previous encounter, providing a stiff challenge to Ancelotti’s side and hoping to secure valuable points at home.