Real Madrid News
Benzema to undergo tests tomorrow to determine availability for Sevilla clash – report
Following a resounding 3-0 win over Elche in midweek, Real Madrid will be looking to continue their excellent run of form as they take on Sevilla on Saturday.
The Whites released the squad list set to take part in the game, one that includes Karim Benzema.
It was reported that the striker had picked up a minor injury earlier today in training and will not be fit enough to feature against Sevilla. But some reports claimed that he was fit enough, following which was included in the squad by Carlo Ancelotti.
However, journalist Jose Luis Sanchez has offered an update on Benzema’s condition, suggesting that the forward’s injury scare was no hoax, despite his inclusion in the squad. In fact, the player is set to undergo tests tomorrow to determine the extent of his knock.
The results of the tests will also decide whether or not the Frenchman can take part in the game against Sevilla.
Benzema’s potential absence against Los Nervionenses can serve as a major blow for Real Madrid, especially at a time when they desperately need a win in order to build some distance from second-placed Barcelona.
Despite securing a win in Clasico this past weekend, Real Madrid are leading their arch-rivals only by three points. Any mishap this weekend could see the Catalans once again breathing down their necks.
Real Madrid, though, performed well without Benzema earlier in the campaign. And with the likes of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior performing at the top of their game, Los Blancos will be hopeful of their chances against Sevilla, even if the Ballon d’Or winner is unavailable.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
