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Rafael Benitez: 'Competition always important'

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez welcomes the added competition in his squad as a number of first-team players prepare to return from injury.

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has insisted that he 'wants to have a selection problem' as he prepares to welcome back a number of first-team players.

Los Blancos have been hit with a number of injuries in the early part of the campaign, but the likes of Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez are both nearing a return to full fitness.

Benitez has said that rotation is always important at a top football club and is confident that he can keep players fresh using that method.

"When all my players are fit, it's up to me to explain who's playing and who isn't, but football is about what you have at any given time," Benitez told reporters.

"[Raphael] Varane, for example, has a better chance of playing if Pepe and [Sergio] Ramos don't. Rotation offers us a high level of competition. I want to have a selection problem."

Gareth Bale is still on the sidelines with a calf problem and is not expected to return to first-team training until later this month.

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Matt Law
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Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and Real Madrid CF at San Mames Stadium on September 23, 2015
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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