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Attendance: 44,265
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La Liga | Gameweek 17
Dec 15, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

1-1

Soler (78')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Benzema (95')

Zinedine Zidane fully focused on Valencia clash despite El Clasico looming

Real go into the game on the back of a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Zinedine Zidane pushed aside all talk of next week's match against Barcelona and insisted Real Madrid were ready to put in a strong performance at Valencia to keep pace at the top of LaLiga.

Real face rivals Barca in El Clasico on Wednesday night but Zidane was adamant they are fully focused on Sunday's Mestalla clash first as they look to extend their winning streak in the league to five matches.

"We want to put in our best performance and we're fully focused on our next game," he said in his pre-match press conference, reported on the club's official website.

Casemiro
Midfielder Casemiro is one booking away from suspension (Francisco Seco/AP)

"We are not going to talk about what is going to happen on Wednesday. If I think Wednesday's game is the big one, I'm wrong. The important one is tomorrow."

The visitors go into the game on the back of a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions after signing off from the Champions League group stages with a midweek 3-1 win at Club Brugge.

Midfielder Casemiro is one booking away from suspension and Zidane confirmed he would discuss the Brazil international's involvement in Sunday night's late fixture with his squad ahead of making a decision.

He added: "The decision (as to whether Casemiro plays) is up to the coach. I'll talk with my players because I'm interested in what everyone says.

"We know Casemiro's importance and everyone's. And in the end, I have to make an decision in each game but I am thinking only of tomorrow's game."

A much-changed Real team defeated Brugge with Brazilian teenagers Rodrygo and Vinicius both on target against the Belgians, before veteran playmaker Luka Modric sealed the win.

After resting the likes of captain Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos, while France forward Karim Benzema had started on the bench midweek, Zidane was keeping his cards close to his chest about his starting XI ahead of the Valencia match.

He said: "I will not answer you (about the squad). I am sorry but I will not tell you if I have it in my head. I prefer to keep things this way.

"It will be difficult not to rotate because we have three good, important games, and close to each other.

"I have, as I always like to say, 25 players and I can count on everyone. There are two or three that are out, but in the end I have others and I will have everyone in all three games."

Albert Celades' Valencia head into the match on the back of Tuesday night's 1-0 Champions League victory over Ajax that saw them top Group H.

Los Ches have won their previous two league matches and sit eighth in the table – eight points off leaders Barca and Real with 34 each – and boasting an unbeaten home record in LaLiga this season.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid37297187266194
2Barcelona37257577433482
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico372341068432573
5Athletic Bilbao371811860372365
6Real Sociedad371612951371460
7Real BetisBetis37141494845356
8Villarreal371410136464052
9Valencia37139153843-548
10AlavesAlaves37129163545-1045
11Osasuna37128174455-1144
12Getafe371013144152-1143
13Sevilla371011164752-541
14Celta Vigo371010174455-1140
15Las PalmasLas Palmas37109183246-1439
16Rayo Vallecano37814152947-1838
17Mallorca37716143143-1237
RCadizCadiz37615162549-2433
RGranada3849253879-4121
RAlmeria37212233774-3718


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