It’s time for Los Blancos to step onto the pitch again and they are beaming with confidence. In fact, it has been 14 years since Real Madrid last failed to defeat Rayo Vallecano. How likely are they to suffer an upset in front of their own fans this weekend?
The Spanish giants were not convincing in midweek as Karim Benzema’s lone goal made the difference against a weak Liverpool squad. Ancelotti will want to see more from his players against Rayo, an opponent he respects, despite Real Madrid’s head-to-head record of 35 goals scored and only nine conceded in 12 matches since 2000.
“They have a style, and to explain what Spanish football is like abroad, Rayo Vallecano are a prime example,” the Italian declared.
“They play football against every team and fight for survival. They have a very clear plan to play attacking football and it's a good plan and a positive one.”
Real Madrid received a little boost on Friday morning as Jese trained with the first team for the first time since his long-term injury. However, the Spanish forward is not yet ready to return to competitive action. He did not make Carlo Ancelotti’s 19-man squad for Saturday’s league match as the boss explained:
“Little by little he will do technical work. In the first week it'll be without contact and afterwards with it. It's the final phase of his recovery. We are not in a hurry and we expect him to be ready to play in a month.”
For the first time in the 2014/15 Spanish Primera Division season, the men in white enter a matchday as league leaders. The rough start they endured at the beginning of the campaign is well in the past now as they could clinch their 13th win on the trot in all competitions.
Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, have lost their last two league games. They emphatically went down 4-0 away to Malaga before accepting a narrower defeat, 3-2 at home to Eibar. Rayo occupy the 11th position in La Liga and are only three points above the relegation zone.
Real Madrid's lineup: Navas, Pepe, Ramos, Ronaldo, Kroos, Benzema, James, Bale, Marcelo, Nacho, Modric
Real Madrid's bench: Casillas, Varane, Chicharito, Arbeloa, Isco, Medran, Aguza
Rayo Vallecano's lineup: Cristian, Tito, Zé, Abdoulaye, Insua, Fatau, Trashorras, Licá, Kakuta, Bueno, Baptistao
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