Team News: Karim Benzema reinstated in Real Madrid attack

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has reinstated Karim Benzema in his frontline for this afternoon's meeting with Girona in La Liga.

The French striker, left out against Eibar last time out in the league, will partner Cristiano Ronaldo in attack at the ​Estadi Municipal de Montilivi.

Madrid have more recently earned a 2-0 win over third-tier outfit Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey, with Zidane making a total of nine changes from that match.

Kiko Casilla remains in goal due to Keylor Navas's injury layoff, while Achraf Hakimi is given another chance to impress at right-back - his fifth start in six matches.

All of the big boys have been welcomed back in what is essentially Los Blancos' strongest-available side, including a start for attacking midfielder Isco just off Benzema and Ronaldo.

In terms of the hosts, who have never previously faced off against champions Madrid in a competitive match, they are without Pedro Alcala for today's clash, while Manchester City loanee Douglas Luiz is only among the subs.

Top scorer Christian Stuani returns to the fold after sitting out his side's last match, and Alex Granell replaces skipper Aleix Garcia in midfield.

Girona: Bono; Bernardo, Muniesa, Juanpe; Maffeo, Granell, Pere Pons, Borja Garcia, Aday; Portu, Stuani Subs: Gorka, Mojica, Ramalho, Douglas, Timor, Kayode, Aleix Garcia

Real Madrid: Casilla; Achraf, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo Subs: Moha, Nacho, Theo, Vazquez, Llorente, Asensio, Ceballos

Follow all of the action as it unfolds in Catalonia with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.