Real Madrid - Málaga
Real Madrid vs Málaga team news: Cristiano, Benzema start
Zinedine Zidane has benched under-fire Danilo while Nacho comes in for the injured Carvajal. Peñaranda leads the line for Marcelo Romero's visitors to the Bernabéu.
Benzema and Cristiano to lead the goal search
After giving under-fire Danilo his full support, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has decided to put him on the bench for today's home game against Málaga.
There were a number of questions being asked about who would lead the attack for Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu with some looking to see Morata given another chance. Zidane has, however, gone with compatriot Karim Benzema and Lucas Vázquez to join Cristiano Ronaldo as the team look to get back to winning ways after losses to Sevilla in LaLiga and Celta Vigo in the midweek Copa del Rey quarter final first leg. Nacho lines up in defence with Carvejal expected to be out injured for around a month. Gareth Bale continues his recovery in the gym.
Málaga coach Marcelo Romero is having to do without the talented Youssef En-Nesyri who is representing Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations. Also missing are the likes of Kuzmanovic, Torres, Ramirez and Kone, due to injury, and on-loan Diego Llorente is not available thanks to the terms of his loan from Madrid.
The starting line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Keylor Navas; Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Lucas Vázquez, Benzema, Cristiano
Málaga XI: Kameni; Rosales, Luis Muñoz, Mikel, Juankar; Camacho, Recio, Fornals, Juanpi, Chory Castro; Peñaranda.