MX23RW : Sunday, January 19 07:02:58| >> :120:63471:63471:
[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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico20135234132144
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona20123552232939
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona208482827128
9Sevilla207582329-626
10Rayo Vallecano196762222025
11Real BetisBetis206772226-425
12Osasuna196762328-525
13Celta Vigo197392830-224
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Leganes205781929-1022
16Getafe204881417-320
17AlavesAlaves2055102432-820
18Espanyol2054111932-1319
19Real ValladolidValladolid2043131439-2515
20Valencia1927101829-1113


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