Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he has already decided who will replace Karim Benzema in the starting XI for Sunday's El Clasico with Barcelona.
Benzema missed training on Saturday morning due to a calf problem and will be absent for the La Liga match against Xavi's side, which opens up a starting role in the Los Blancos side at centre-forward.
Ancelotti has said that Gareth Bale, Mariano Diaz, Luka Jovic, Rodrygo and Isco are all options to play in the middle of a front three against Barcelona at Bernabeu.
"Who will play tomorrow in Benzema's place? I have already decided it but I won't tell you," Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-match press conference on Saturday.
"Bale is one of the options but we also have Mariano, Jovic, Rodrygo, Isco... I have chosen the best option for this game. We can win without Karim Benzema, yes. He's important for us because he scores. Now we have to find someone else."
Benzema has scored 22 league goals for Los Blancos this season, while Diaz, Jovic, Rodrygo, Isco and Bale have just three between them in Spain's top flight this term.
Matt Law
