Solari expecting a tough game against bottom of the table Huesca

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari is convinced his side will have to dig deep if they want to take all three points from their Liga Santander game away to Huesca on Sunday.

Huesca, who are in their first ever season in the top flight, are currently bottom of the table in Spain with just 7 points from 14 matches and no home win, but Solari expects them to make it difficult for his side in front of a packed home crowd, reports V news agency.

"I have no doubt they will ask the maximum from us from the first minute," he said in his pre-game press conference.

"We must have effort, be serious in defense and intense and aggressive in attack," he said

The coach was asked about his starting 11 after Marco Asensio and Isco, who have struggled to get a game since he replaced Julen Lopetegui in the dugout, impressed in their midweek Cup game.

"Line-ups vary according to the match; there are lots of things to consider, such as the situation, form, injuries and decisions taken by our rivals. There are lots of factors, so don't believe in having a fixed eleven," he said.

However, Solari dropped a hint that Gareth Bale, who has been criticized recently, will start.

"I said to him in English that I was happy with his 'commitment'; sometimes things don't happen despite the effort you put in."

"I have nothing to criticize him for and he also scored a great goal against Roma," said the coach.

Finally, Solari, who began his career as a player with River Plate, was asked about the Copa Libertadores final between his former club and their bitter rivals, Boca Juniors which will be played in Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday

"It's an honor to host this match, although it would have been better to not have it here. I hope it lives up to the billing and that nothing bad happens," he concluded.

--IANS

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