Real Madrid look to Karim Benzema for goals against Malaga

Next up for Los Blancos is Malaga at home in La Liga on Saturday, before they travel to Sweden to face Malmo at Swedbank Stadion next week Wednesday.

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique hailed the quality displayed by his former club Celta Vigo as they thrashed the European champions 4-1 on Wednesday. Later, tests confirmed he had dislocated his shoulder.

Malaga have won just once in their last 30 league meetings with Real Madrid.

It is a rough start for the team but a win over one of the most storied teams in the country should help them move forward.

Coming up against the best defensive side in La Liga, Malaga will have to be at their very best to score a goal.

“I’m anxious about it”, Gracia said, with Malaga having gained just two points from five games. But Ernesto Valverde’s side, who have welcomed the arrival of Raul Garcia from Atletico Madrid, have found consistency elusive as they aim to replicate their creditable seventh place finish from last term.

Out: Gareth Bale (calf), James Rodriguez (thigh), Danilo (foot).

Ricardo Horta and Dude will operate as wingers on either flanks for Malaga while Recio and Fernando Tissone will occupy the central midfield berths.

Arthur Boka, Roque Santa Cruz and Ignacio Camacho are all sidelined and will not feature at the Bernabeu, but midfielder Nordin Amrabat is available after recovering from a knock.

The sixth round is scheduled to be concluded with four matches on Sunday featuring Sporting Gijon against Real Betis, Deportivo la Coruna versus Espanyol, Getafe against Levante and Real Sociedad against Athletic Bilbao. He may not be the same type of player who left the Red Devils, with his future as a footballer most likely as a No. 9 rather than an adventurous wide player.

Luka Modric was next to be denied by Kameni after playing a quick one-two with Karim Benzema, before the Frenchman had a shot of his own saved by the overworked goalkeeper. Benzema will be anxious to bury the demons of last season when he lines up against Malaga on Saturday.

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez praised his side’s “character” as they overcame a hard second half to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 to go top of La Liga.