MADRID, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid travel to play bottom of the table Malaga on Sunday night with half an eye on Europe and the remainer on the Liga Santander.
Real Madrid are currently fourth in the league table, but depending on the result between FC Barcelona and Valencia could have the chance of moving back into third ahead of Valencia, although the fact that the side that finishes fourth in the league this season will not face a Champions League qualifying round means that finishing third or fourth is irrelevant for all but Madrid's pride.
Wednesday saw Zinedine Zidane's side qualify for the semi-final of the Champions League in controversial fashion when a debated injury time penalty gave them a 4-1 aggregate win over Juventus after trailing 3-0 on the night to the Italian side.
The reward for that win is a semi-final against Bayern Munich the week after next and that is without doubt Madrid's main goal to save a poor domestic season.
Sunday sees Zidane take his team to play bottom of the table Malaga, who have just 17 points all season and are doomed to relegation 14 points from safety with just 24 left to play for.
The task for Madrid between now and the semi-final is to try and win their games, while at the same time ensuring key players are in peak form for Europe and Zidane will make changes accordingly.
Sergio Ramos is back after suspension in midweek, although Nacho Fernandez is still sidelined with a muscle injury, while Mateo Kovacic will probably play in midfield to allow Tony Kroos and Luka Modric to rest.
Karim Benzema should also start alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack, while Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez will play ahead of Gareth Bale.
Malaga meanwhile have defender Luis Hernandez suspended, while Diego Gonzalez, who would have replaced him in defense is a fitness worry, but Malaga's league position means their La Rosaleda Stadium will not be full for one of the club's games of the season.
