La Liga leaders will visit the home of the 14th place in the Spanish top flight this Saturday with a not so flattering situation for the European champions. Following their Copa del Rey elimination, Los Blancos won their match against Getafe to assure their spot as No. 1 in La Liga for one more week, and they will try to make that count as they face Cordoba with their 3 game unbeaten streak.
The hosts will try to avenge their 2-0 defeat in Matchday 1 of La Liga, when Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Los Blancos at Estado Santiago Bernabeu. Since then, Cordoba changed their coach and with Miroslav Djukic at the helm, the team from Andalucia have not lost in their previous three clashes, winning two and drawing to Eibar last week. Perhaps the only downside for Cordoba will be the absence of Edu Campabadal, who was sent off during their last match. Djukic will be counting on Algerian Nabil Ghilas to work his magic against Real's defense, while Fede Cartabia continues to display top quality football for the Andalucian side.
Following their first complete training week for months, Real Madrid may have a good chance to clear some room at the top of the table. While they wait for Barcelona to drop points at Elche's field, Carlo Ancelotti and his men will try to win their second consecutive match away from Santiago Bernabeu. The European champions will not have available Isco and Pepe, with Raphael Varane and either Sami Khedira or Asier Illarramendi taking their spots in the Starting XI.
Ancelotti stated earlier this week he won't be making any rotations in his lineup, so Cordoba will have to expect Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo to make them have a hard time guarding them. If Miroslav Djukic wanted a game that could test his crew, this is the ultimate examination for a squad that wants to leave once and for all the relegation zone.
Cordoba vs Real Madrid team sheets
Cordoba's lineup: Juan Carlos, Pantic, Crespo, Rossi, Cartabia, Edimar, Ghilas, Deivid, Gunino, Bebe, Florin.
Real Madrid's lineup: Casillas, Varane, Ramos, Khedira, Ronaldo, Kroos, Benzema, James, Bale, Marcelo, Carvajal.
Cordoba's bench: Saizar, Lopez Silva, Lopez Garai, Gomez, Pinillos, Vico, Jose Fran.
Real Madrid's bench: Navas, Coentrao, Chicharito, Arbeloa, Nacho, Jesé, Illarra.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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