MX23RW : Thursday, March 30 03:41:04| >> :120:30660:30660:
[monks data]
Mar 11, 2023 at 1pm UK at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
Real Madrid
3 - 1
Espanyol
Junior (22'), Militao (39'), Asensio (90+3')
Junior (32'), Ceballos (86'), Carvajal (87')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Joselu (8')
Cabrera (19'), Gil (56')

Real Madrid missing three players for Espanyol clash

Real Madrid missing three players for Espanyol clash
© Reuters
Karim Benzema, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy will miss Real Madrid's La Liga contest with Espanyol on Saturday afternoon.

Real Madrid will be without the services of David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema for Saturday's La Liga contest with Espanyol on Saturday afternoon.

Alaba and Mendy remain on the sidelines with hamstring problems, while Benzema will be unavailable for selection due to a knock on his ankle.

However, Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti revealed during his pre-match press conference that Mendy and Benzema would both be available for Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg with Liverpool.

"He's had a knock on his ankle, it's swollen, he won't be able to play tomorrow and he trained individually today. He will be available for Wednesday's game [vs Liverpool]," Ancelotti said when asked about Benzema.

"Ferland Mendy has recovered. He will train with the team on Sunday and be available against Liverpool."

Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy pictured on September 3, 2022© Reuters

There had also been some concern over the fitness of Antonio Rudiger, with the Germany international missing a training session earlier this week.

However, the centre-back has been named in the squad for the clash with Espanyol.

Real Madrid are currently nine points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona in the table, but they would cut the gap to six points with a victory on Saturday afternoon.

Los Blancos have not been victorious since the 5-2 success over Liverpool in the Champions League, drawing with Atletico Madrid and Real Betis in the league, in addition to losing 1-0 to Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti on November 2, 2022© Reuters

There is also a return to the squad for Luka Modric, who was not involved in the goalless draw with Real Betis last weekend due to a domestic suspension.

Alvaro Rodriguez, who scored his first senior goal against Atletico in the Madrid derby on February 25, is an option to replace Benzema on Saturday, but Ancelotti has confirmed that Rodrygo will start as the centre-forward.

"Yes, he has no experience, but no one has it when something starts. He has the quality to play from the start, yes," said the Italian when asked whether Rodriguez was ready to be named in the first XI.

"Rodrygo is going to be the centre-forward. Rodrygo has to play where the team needs him. Sometimes it's better to put his quality on the wings, sometimes he's better between lines. It depends. He's very good, that's what he has to take advantage of."

Real Madrid have won their last two league games against Espanyol, including a 3-1 victory when the two teams locked horns for the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Real Madrid squad vs. Espanyol:

Courtois, Lunin, Lopez; Carvajal, Militao, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Vazquez, Rudiger; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Hazard, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mariano, Alvaro

ID:508716:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5494:No Data Analysis info

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How you voted: Real Madrid vs Espanyol

Real Madrid
87.9%
Draw
5.1%
Espanyol
7.1%
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Real Madrid's David Alaba celebrates scoring in the UEFA Super Cup on August 10, 2022
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona2622224994068
2Real Madrid26175451213056
3Atletico MadridAtletico26156542192351
4Real Sociedad26146635241148
5Real BetisBetis2613673426845
6Villarreal2612593224841
7Athletic Bilbao26106103628836
8Rayo Vallecano269983130136
9Osasuna2697102227-534
10Celta Vigo2697103235-334
11Mallorca2695122227-532
12GironaGirona2687114041-131
13Getafe2678112734-729
14Sevilla2677122942-1328
15CadizCadiz26610102138-1728
16Real ValladolidValladolid2684142038-1828
17Espanyol2669113242-1027
18Valencia2675142831-326
19Almeria2675143045-1526
20ElcheElche2627171951-3213

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