Ancelotti Don't Bring Iker Bravo To Change Benzema In The Contra Rayo Vallecano Match

Real Madrid (Twitter @realmadrid)

JAKARTA Carlo Ancelotti did not include Iker Bravo's name in his squad to replace Karim Benzema who was absent as they prepared to face Rayo Vallecano.

Los Blancos have released the squad for the 12th week of La Liga Spain 2022/23 against Rayo at the Campo de F!tbol de Vallecas Stadium, Tuesday, November 8 in the morning. Benzema is not registered because he is not fit.

The French player's position was previously touted to be replaced by Bravo. However, the Castilla's player's name is also not in thePS released by the Spanish capital club.

For the attacking position, Ancelotti actually brought Mariano, Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, and Rodrygo. Thus, Rodrygo is likely to be trusted to occupy the place left by Benzema.

"He has great potential, more as a center forward or behind number 9 than a winger. He is very strong in running, dribbled, in a narrow space," said Ancelotti, quoted by Football Espana, Monday, November 7, 2022.

Benzema has been struggling with fitness issues so far. The 34-year-old has missed three previous El Real games before his win over Glasgow Celtic in the European Champions League in the middle of last week.

In that match Benzema entered the game for 26 minutes. However, he missed the squad's training after following him on Friday.

Without Benzema's presence in the front lines is clearly a crushing blow for Los Blancos. The reason is, they are going through this match with the burden of returning to the top of the standings.

"Karim [Benzema] will not play tomorrow. The feeling he has is still not good. He trained well on Friday, but then he fought harder after that. So he won't be playing tomorrow," said Ancelotti.

Madrid currently fills second place in the La Liga standings with a collection of 32 points. They are two points adrift of Barcelona who just won over Almeria on Sunday, November 6.

To be able to climb to the top of the standings again, Madrid must have a win at Rayo's home. On paper three points shouldn't be difficult for Los Blancos if they see the hosts' journey so far.

So far Rayo is still in ninth place in the standings by collecting 18 points from 12 matches. However, they took home three points in the last match against Sevilla when Madrid were detained by Girona's draw.

With the current position, Rayo is in the opportunity to back-to-back at the top of Spain for the first time since 2016. Having won five times, drew three times, and lost four times, keeping Rayo far from the threat of relegation.

Rayo will look for a third straight league win at home to Los Blancos. However, they lost twice to Madrid last season, including a 0-1 loss at the Estadio de Vallecas.

📋✅ Our squad for the match 🆚 @RayoVallecano! #RayoRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/SwAvGTsJG4

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 6, 2022