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Real Madrid logo
La Liga | Gameweek 25
Mar 11, 2023 at 1pm UK
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
Espanyol logo

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

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Written by
Matt Law
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How you voted: Real Madrid vs Espanyol

Real Madrid
Draw
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 header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona27193575274860
2Real Madrid28186459273260
3Atletico MadridAtletico28168446222456
4Athletic Bilbao281410446242252
5Villarreal27128749381144
6Real BetisBetis2812883835344
7Mallorca28117102834-640
8Celta Vigo28116114141039
9Rayo Vallecano2891093131037
10Getafe2899102523236
11Sevilla2899103237-536
12Real Sociedad28105132530-535
13GironaGirona2897123641-534
14Osasuna2771283339-633
15Espanyol2777132639-1328
16Valencia28610123146-1528
17AlavesAlaves2869133242-1027
18Leganes2869132643-1727
19Las PalmasLas Palmas2867153247-1525
20Real ValladolidValladolid2844201863-4516


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