MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 15:54:34| >> :60:1621:1621:
[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.

ID:310666: cacheID:310666:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3815:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
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
Read Next:
Man City owners buy stake in Girona
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!