Zidane, Nacho, Keylor Navas: Real Madrid daily round-up
Our daily round up of all the news in and around the Santiago Bernabeu as Madrid aim to maintain their grip at the top of the table vs. Espanyol.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal live online
Zidane aiming for 16 straight wins
The French coach can equal the record for straight league wins set by Pep Guardiola during his time at FC Barcelona with a win at the RCDE Stadium this evening. The 44 year old coach acknowledged that leveling the record "is a motivation for us"
Nacho
Once again the defender was sacrificed from the squad for Madrid's trip to the Catalan capital. This is the third time in the current campaign that the 26 year old has been omitted from a Zinedine Zidane squad.
Keylor Navas
There still appears to be no tentative return date for the Costa Rican goalkeeper who is still undergoing the rehabilitation process from an ankle injury which deprived the player from participating in the 2016 Copa America Centenario. Zidane recently stated: "It's difficult to say when Keylor will be back but he's improving with the passing of each day"
Training
With Madrid in action next Wednesday (home game vs. Villarreal), there will be little respite after tonight's game in Barcelona. The players have to report tomorrow at 12:00 in Valdebebas for a training session.
Fans
Approximately 400 fans turned up to welcome Real Madrid as the squad arrived in the Catalan capital ahead of tonight's Espanyol match. Isco and Lucas Vazquez later signed autographs for fans at their Barcelona hotel.