Who: Actual Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
What: Spanish La Liga
The place: Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain
When: Sunday, February 1 at 2pm native time (13:00 GMT)
The way to comply with: We’ll have all of the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 10:00 GMT upfront of our textual content commentary stream.
Actual Madrid proceed to battle for type in a turbulent season and should shortly shake off their UEFA Champions League woes forward of the go to of Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday.
Advisable Tales
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Los Blancos missed out on an computerized place within the final 16 of Europe’s premier membership competitors after they had been defeated at Benfica on Wednesday.
Consideration now returns to maintaining tempo with league leaders and defending champions, Barcelona, on the home entrance.
What has Actual Madrid’s response been to the defeat by Benfica?
Actual Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa insisted he would stand by the group’s star gamers and provides them as many minutes as potential, regardless of debate over whether or not the group can perform successfully with all of them on the pitch.
Los Blancos, whose defeat on Wednesday means they need to play a further knockout round within the Champions League, have typically struggled for stability when too a lot of their attacking abilities play collectively.
Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior have accomplished every of the final 4 video games for Arbeloa, together with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, whereas midfielder Fede Valverde began all 4 and was substituted as soon as.
“I at all times wish to have the very best gamers on the pitch, and the extra minutes they are often accessible to the group for me, the higher,” Arbeloa informed a information convention, when requested if these 5 gamers had been “untouchable”.
“These are gamers who can shake up a match at any second. There will probably be individuals who aren’t Madrid followers who don’t need them on the pitch, however I think about Madrid supporters need their finest gamers at all times accessible, at all times on the sphere.
“I feel the 5 gamers talked about are among the many prime 10 on this planet, and they also have my full belief. And it’s not simply my belief – their efficiency is what’s placing them on the pitch.”
How did Kylian Mbappe’s criticism of Actual go down in Madrid?
French famous person Mbappe criticised the team for his or her inconsistency, and Arbeloa stated Madrid are engaged on fixing that situation.
“Look, we’re working to search out the consistency we would like in our recreation and in any respect ranges, and I feel proper now it’s neither a time for disappointment nor a time for euphoria,” stated Arbeloa.
“It’s a time for work, nothing extra.”
How do Barcelona and Actual Madrid form up in La Liga?
Barcelona entertain Elche on Saturday night with the prospect to maneuver 4 factors clear forward of Actual’s recreation in opposition to Vallecano.
How have Rayo Vallecano fared in La Liga this season?
The specter of relegation hangs closely over Rayo Vallecano, who’ve solely gained 5 of their 21 matches this season.
The away type does at the very least supply them some hope, with three of these victories approaching the street.
Solely eight factors separate the underside 9 golf equipment, of which Vallecano maintain sixteenth place heading into Matchday 21.
What occurred the final time Actual Madrid performed Rayo Vallecano?
The perimeters final met in a La Liga match at Vallecano on November 9. The match resulted in a disappointing 0-0 draw for Actual, a part of the run that led to the departure of Alonso as coach.
What occurred in final season’s corresponding recreation between Actual Madrid and Rayo Vallecano?
Actual ran out 2-1 winners within the La Liga match between the edges at Bernabeu final season.
Mbappe and Vinicius put Los Blancos two up within the recreation on March 9, earlier than Pedro Diaz pulled one again earlier than the break, however the away facet had been unable to influence the sport additional within the second half.
Head-to-head
This would be the forty eighth assembly between Actual Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. Los Blancos have gained 33 of the matches, whereas Vallecano have gained seven.
Actual Madrid group information
Antonio Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy have all returned to coaching following accidents however the defensive trio stays unavailable for first-team motion.
Eder Militao stays a long-term absentee with a extreme hamstring damage, which is predicted to maintain the central defender out till late March.
Raul Asencio and Rodrygo each noticed pink within the midweek Champions League defeat by Benfica, however are each eligible for La Liga choice.
Actual Madrid predicted beginning lineup
Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
Rayo Vallecano group information
Abdul Mumin and Andrei Ratiu will each miss out with knee and leg accidents, respectively. Ivan Balliu is battling to shake off a knock and should face a late health check.
Ilias Akhomach is pushing for his first begin, following his mortgage transfer from Villarreal, having come on as a sub in opposition to Osasuna final outing.
Rayo Vallecano predicted beginning lineup
Batalla; Balliu, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarria; Palazon, Valentin, Diaz; Akhomach, De Frutos, A Garcia
