Stumbling Real Madrid face a must win match as they host Osasuna

These last few weeks have felt like an eternity for a Real Madrid side who have seen their season crumble following losses to Barcelona and AC Milan in LaLiga and the Champions League, respectively.

The Spanish giants conceded seven goals in those two matches and it could have been more had it not been for Andriy Lunin and being let off the hook from a lack of finishing.

Now, Real Madrid turn their attention back to the league where, on Saturday, the reigning champions face Osasuna in what has turned into a must win match.

"It's a difficult time for everyone," Carlo Ancelotti said during his pre-match press conference. "We have evaluated the situation with th players. We think we have found the solution. But we need to put that into practice. That is what we are hoping to do, to play differently."

It will be interesting to see whether Ancelotti has found a solution to Real Madrid's troubles or if it was an attempt to calm the storm. They had around 10 days to prepare for Milan and were unable to find an answer then.

So, how much has changed from the Milan loss to now?

Up front, nothing is going to change as Ancelotti isn't going to switch Mbappe's position with Vinicius Junior as he doesn't want to move the Brazilian who he calls a "game changer."

Despite the poor run of results, Ancelotti isn't giving up on the season quite yet and believes his side can turn things around.

"Despite the issues we are having, I believe this season can be successful," Ancelotti said. "We will fight for every title in every competition. That's how I see it and that's how it will be."

If Real Madrid want to turn things around, they'll need to do it quickly and against Osasuna. An Osasuna side who already beat Barcelona 4-2 earlier in the season and who currently sit fifth in LaLiga. In other words, they won't be a pushover.

It will be a game Osasuna will be motivated for considering a win would put them level on points with Real Madrid.

Against Barcelona, Osasuna didn't sit back and with how shoddy Real Madrid's defense has been, they're unlikely to sit back and are going to take the game to Madrid. It's not a bad idead given the success other teams have had.

A loss would be disastrous for Real Madrid who could face the possibility of going 12 points behind Barcelona should the Catalan side win their match against Real Sociedad. A loss would also put Ancelotti's future in serious risk. Madrid are a club in crisis and one they could sink in if they don't win, and do it convincingly, on Saturday.