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The team -and the web- has enjoyed a week off to spend Christmas with the family and friends. Mourinho has called the team today to start the preparation for Tuesday's Copa del Rey game against Málaga.
Real Madrid needs to get ready for what it's going to be a very busy month for los blancos.
As soon as Real Madrid players get back to work, so does Managing Madrid. All the staff wishes you all have enjoyed this Christmas time and hopes you are also ready for the tough venues that lie ahead of Madrid's schedule.
First of all, Málaga will visit Santiago Bernabeu next Tuesday to play the first game of the Copa del Rey leg. Pellegrini's team will seek for revenge after the 0-4 defeat they suffered in the Liga game at La Rosaleda. Mourinho could still think the championship is more important, so he could save some of the starters for the Liga game.
On Saturday 7th, Granada will also visit the Bernabeu in which will be the first Liga game after the days off. Granada should not be a problem for Real Madrid but any point loss of points is big, so Real needs to get focused and try to get an easy and early win.
Tuesday 10th will be the day in which Madrid will try to get the pass to the Copa del Rey Quarter Finals in La Rosaleda. If los blancos get a comfortable result in Bernabeu's venue, Mourinho might want to save his players for the rest of the month.
Madrid will then go to Mallorca on Saturday 14th to try to keep the Liga lead against Barcelona. If Madrid is in the Copa del Rey 1/4, they will need to play against Barcelona (if they manage to beat Osasuna in a two-game matchup) January 18th, so this could be a dangerous match if Mourinho decides to give the games against Barcelona a higher priority.
After Barcelona's game, a tough Bilbao team will visit Madrid's home. That would mean that Real would be playing Barcelona, Bilbao and Barcelona again in less than a week.
Mourinho needs to control his roster very well this month so the team is able to do those efforts that this month is going to require.
| Date | Team |
| Jan 3rd | Málaga |
| Jan 7th | Granada |
| Jan 10th | @Málaga |
| Jan 14th | @Mallorca |
| Jan 18th | Barcelona* |
| Jan 22st | Ath. Bilbao |
| Jan 25th | Barcelona* |
*: The team needs to win Málaga's leg to play against Barcelona
Christmas time is over, stay tuned to Managing Madrid for the latest Real Madrid news (don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us in Twitter @Managingmadrid)