MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 18:07:26| >> :120:6247:6247:
[monks data]
Attendance: 13,382
Girona logo
La Liga
Oct 29, 2017 at 3.15pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

2-1

Stuani (54'), Portu (58')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Isco (12')

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.

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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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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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