Oct 29, 2017 at 3.15pm UK at ​Estadi Municipal de Montilivi (Girona)
Attendance: 13,382
GironaGirona
2-1
Real Madrid
Stuani (54'), Portu (58')
Benitez (87'), Mojica (90')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Isco (12')
Modric (45')

Team News: Karim Benzema reinstated in Real Madrid attack

Team News: Karim Benzema reinstated in attack
© SilverHub
Zinedine Zidane reinstates Karim Benzema in his frontline for Real Madrid's trip to Girona, as Los Blancos aim to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has reinstated Karim Benzema in his frontline for this afternoon's meeting with Girona in La Liga.

The French striker, left out against Eibar last time out in the league, will partner Cristiano Ronaldo in attack at the ​Estadi Municipal de Montilivi.

Madrid have more recently earned a 2-0 win over third-tier outfit Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey, with Zidane making a total of nine changes from that match.

Kiko Casilla remains in goal due to Keylor Navas's injury layoff, while Achraf Hakimi is given another chance to impress at right-back - his fifth start in six matches.

All of the big boys have been welcomed back in what is essentially Los Blancos' strongest-available side, including a start for attacking midfielder Isco just off Benzema and Ronaldo.

In terms of the hosts, who have never previously faced off against champions Madrid in a competitive match, they are without Pedro Alcala for today's clash, while Manchester City loanee Douglas Luiz is only among the subs.

Top scorer Christian Stuani returns to the fold after sitting out his side's last match, and Alex Granell replaces skipper Aleix Garcia in midfield.

Girona: Bono; Bernardo, Muniesa, Juanpe; Maffeo, Granell, Pere Pons, Borja Garcia, Aday; Portu, Stuani
Subs: Gorka, Mojica, Ramalho, Douglas, Timor, Kayode, Aleix Garcia

Real Madrid: Casilla; Achraf, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo
Subs: Moha, Nacho, Theo, Vazquez, Llorente, Asensio, Ceballos

Follow all of the action as it unfolds in Catalonia with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

A general shot of the corner flag at the Etihad Stadium prior to Manchester City's Premier League clash with Middlesbrough on November 5, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona109102832528
2Valencia1073027111624
3Real Madrid106221991020
4Atletico MadridAtletico10550156920
5Sevilla10613119219
6Villarreal105231611517
7Leganes1052395417
8Real Betis105141918116
9Real Sociedad104242120114
10Espanyol10343912-313
11Getafe103341311212
12Levante102621113-212
13GironaGirona103341115-412
14Celta Vigo103251916311
15Athletic Bilbao103251012-211
16Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo103251319-611
17EibarEibar10226522-178
18Las PalmasLas Palmas10208825-176
19Malaga10118621-154
20AlavesAlaves10109416-123