REAL MADRID
Real Madrid: 9 Players using break to win over Zidane
Aside from those injured, there are several players trying to win over Zinedine Zidane and they have been working hard at Valdebebas during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane has used the international break to put in some intense work at Valdebebas. Aside from those injured, the discarded Mariano and Benzema, who is already a starter, nine players had a 12-day test to convince Zidane and to slot into one of the gaps in the squad ahead of Mallorca next Saturday in LaLiga and with the Clásico just around the corner.
Amongst those fighting for opportunies, there are different levels of urgency. One of those with a pressing need to convince is Brahim, who is starting from zero despite Zidane liking what he has seen from the youngster. Real Madrid wanted to loan him out but he rejected that idea.
After that, Isco, who only has 104 minutes after suffering an injury at the end of August that has seen him fall down the pecking order. There are a number of options at his positions and make his job to earn minutes even more difficult. With just 218 minutes, Jovic has time now to show Zidane what he can offer after he was left out of Serbia's squad this time around.
In defense, Odriozola (270 minutes so far this season) is looking to eat into Carvajal's lead as the team's first choice right-back. Meanwhile, Marcelo and Mendy are stepping up their recoveries as they battle for the left-back spot. Zidane has a soft spot for the Brazilian, but he did petition for Mendy's signing at a cost of €48 million.
In attack, Vinicius keeps putting in time to make sure he isn't left at home again during an international break due to lack of minutes from Zidane. He has only played 313 and continues to blow hot and cold on the field. Lucas (362 minutes) and James (321 minutes), who decided not to travel with the Colombian squad in an effort to win brownie points from Zidane, are at an advantage. They are the 10th and 11th most used players in the squad but would like to see an uptick in minutes.