Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior fights for the ball with Shakhtar Donetsk’s Dodo during the Uefa Champions League first round group D match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, November 3, 2021. — AFP pic
LONDON, Nov 4 — Real Sociedad may be the surprise La Liga leaders, but Real Madrid are close to full strength and can begin to steal a march on their rivals this weekend when they face Rayo Vallecano, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid still underperforming.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are one point behind Sociedad but have a game in hand. Real Madrid are also eight points ahead of old foes Barca, who are yet to announce a permanent successor to sacked coach Ronald Koeman.
Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr have been in great form this season for Madrid and forwards Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale are also close to returning to match fitness after lengthy injury layoffs.
That gives Ancelotti a welcome selection headache ahead of Saturday’s match at the Bernabeu.
“Hazard is ready to play, we will see how Bale trains before the game. All players that are not playing need to have faith and work hard,” Ancelotti said after Real’s 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League yesterday.
Hazard and Bale will have a hard time trying to displace Vinicius Jr in the starting line-up as the Brazilian, who assisted Benzema twice yesterday, has seven goals and three assists in 11 LaLiga games, only two goals behind the Frenchman in the scoring charts.
Real’s city rivals Atletico fell flat in their European encounter this week, losing 2-0 to Liverpool, though it could have been more devastating. On Sunday they travel to Valencia, who snapped a seven game winless run in their last match against Villarreal.
On Sunday, Sociedad will face another of the season’s surprise packages in Osasuna who have risen to seventh in the standings in their third campaign back in the top flight.
Sevilla travel to bitter rivals Real Betis the same day looking to stay level on points with Real Madrid. Julen Lopetegui’s side lost 2-1 to Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday but only have one defeat in 11 league games this season.
Despite a slim victory over Dynamo Kyiv in midweek, Barcelona are still on a dismal run domestically and travel to Celta Vigo on Saturday ninth in the standings on 16 points.
The Catalans have not won in three league matches but are trying to reach an agreement with Qatari club Al-Sadd so they can hire former Barca midfielder Xavi Hernandez as their new manager. — Reuters