After beating Granada 9-1, Real Madrid is set to face a much tougher opposition called Rayo Vallecano. A team that is in the middle of the standings whose only goal is to stay safe from relegation zone.
Madrid’s biggest concern ahead of the game is knowing if Gareth Bale will be fit enough to play. The Welshman has a solid performance last Sunday with one goal and two assists. Madrid’s medical staff is analyzing an injury in his right ankle.
Chances are, if he’s not ready, Ancelotti shouldn’t be too concerned. Now with Isco back from a one-game suspension and James Rodriguez showing he’s fully recovered from his injury, the Italian manager has options to replace Bale.
Rodriguez was surely missed by Madrid the 60 days he was injured
Real Madrid With James Rodriguez: 18-0-3, 70 goals Real Madrid Without him: 3-1-3, 8 goals http://t.co/4ZRQKFjBKV pic.twitter.com/blDYExH8Kr
— Damon A. Salvadore (@DamonSalvadore1) marzo 25, 2015
Pepe is still without a set date to return, but one thing is for sure, he won’t be playing this Wednesday. Some sources claim he could be back by next week when they face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s confidence should be sky-high after scoring five goals on Sunday for the first time in his career. The Portuguese striker is not four goals clear of Messi in the hunt for the Picihichi.
The BBC is responsible for most of the damage Madrid has caused lately
.@Cristiano @Benzema and @GarethBale11 have scored 17 of Madrid's 18 goals in the last 7 games http://t.co/ItmgByNAUC pic.twitter.com/HdJTDOFBSI
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) abril 7, 2015
The home side suffered its last loss against Barcelona by 6-1 but has won four of its last six games. At Vallecas, they have not lost a game since January when Deportivo outscored them 2-1.
Losing Leo Baptistao from the starting formation due to an injury in thigh did not have the negative effect many people expected. Manucho did well replacing him against Eibar and is expected to keep his spot on Wednesday.
"If I was to face Rayo now I would be scared. All we have to do is enjoy what's left" Paco Jemez
Paco Jémez @RVMOficial "Yo ahora mismo si me enfrentase al Rayo estaría inquieto. En lo que queda creo que vamos a disfrutar"
— Rayo Vallecano (@RVMOficial) abril 7, 2015
Madrid is aiming at perfection with nine games left this season. They know that any point they lose moving forward will make it harder for them to catch up to Barcelona who is four points ahead. Rayo is in ninth place with 38 points so far.
Based on latest results, Rayo Vallecano is looking better than Real Madrid
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid team sheets
Rayo's XI: Cristian, Tito, Amaya, Zé Castro, Nacho, Fatau, Trashorras, Embarba, Kakuta, Bueno, Manucho.
Real Madrid's XI: Casillas, Varane, Ramos, Ronaldo, Kroos, Benzema, James, Bale, Marcelo, Carvajal, Modric,
Rayo's Subs: Cobeño, Insúa, Abdoulaye, Jozabed, Aquino, Licá, Miku.
Real Madrid's Subs: Navas, Coentrao, Chicharito, Nacho, Jesé, Isco, Illarra.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
Rayo Vallecano 0 - 2 Real Madrid
April 8, 2015 4:00pmEstadio del Rayo Vallecano (de Vallecas Teresa Rivero) (Madrid)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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