Real Madrid are missing top scorer Jude Bellingham for Sunday's visit to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, but Carlo Ancelotti has plenty of options. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo have found top form after early season struggles, while Brahim Diaz and Joselu have proven themselves as excellent back-ups. La Liga leaders Madrid pumped Girona 4-0 last weekend, giving second place at the top of the table a five-point lead. Bellingham scored a brace but was subsequently ruled out with an ankle injury that could keep him out for three weeks.
Madrid's defense has been severely depleted by injuries this season, but the coach has plenty of other options in attack.
Diaz needed a lot of patience and spent three seasons on loan at AC Milan, but has finally proven he can be a weapon for Ancelotti ahead of the derby clash at Rayo's Vallecas stadium.
The Spanish playmaker, 24, will start against Rayo Vallecano as he recovers from a blow after scoring a brilliant goal against RB Leipzig in midweek.
Diaz's goal gave Madrid a 1-0 win in the Champions League last 16 match on the road and was further proof that he can become a vital piece for Los Blancos.
The former Manchester City midfielder came on for the injured Bellingham and offers skill and mobility in attacking areas to unravel defenses.
“I saw him come back (from loan) more powerful, stronger and with more character,” Ancelotti said on Tuesday.
“He had confidence in himself, he scored a spectacular goal, he brought a lot and he worked hard… when he started the action (before he scored), I shouted at him not to lose the ball, and he lost not.” It.”
Joselu has also received high praise from the coach.
Although his arrival at second division Espanyol raised eyebrows, the 33-year-old goalkeeper has been an important source of goals with twelve goals in all competitions.
“He is doing everything he can to stay at Real Madrid,” Ancelotti noted earlier in February.
“He has been spectacular, it is a blessing to have someone of this quality… he is a serious and very humble person who we love.”
Crucially for Madrid, their dynamic Brazilian duo Vinicius and Rodrygo find their top form at the business end of the season.
Vinicius shone against Girona and gave Yan Couto such a torrid afternoon that he ended the match in tears.
“If he plays like this and with this attitude, in my personal opinion he is the best in the world,” said the Italian.
Despite a slow start to the season, beset by several injury problems, Vinicius has 12 goals in all competitions and is on course to at least equal his best tally of 23 from last season.
Although Madrid will miss Bellingham, it is clear that Rayo Vallecano is not off the map.
They are 14th and fired coach Francisco Rodriguez after seven months at the helm earlier this week, following a run of five games without a win.
Inigo Perez replaced him and the coach's first task is to find a way to stop Madrid's attacking force. Ancelotti's side have now scored 52 goals, level with Girona as the division's top scorers.
Player to watch: Borja Mayoral (Getafe)
Getafe striker Mayoral has the chance to overtake injured Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham at the top of the Spanish scoring charts. Mayoral, himself formerly a Los Blancos player, has scored 15 goals and is one ahead of Bellingham before his side visit an inconsistent Villarreal team on Friday.
Key statistics
13 – Cadiz winger Ivan Alejo has the most bookings in the top flight
95.8 – Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen leads the league in completion percentage
139 – Alavés winger Luis Rioja has crossed more than any other La Liga player
Fixtures
Friday
Villarreal v Getafe (2000)
Saturday
Atletico Madrid vs Las Palmas (1300), Osasuna vs Cadiz (1515), Celta Vigo vs Barcelona (1730), Valencia vs Sevilla (2000)
Sunday
Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid (1300), Granada v Almeria (1515), Real Mallorca v Real Sociedad (1730), Real Betis v Alaves (2000)
Monday
Athletic Bilbao v Girona (2000)
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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