Angel Di Maria has returned to the Real Madrid team as they prepare to face Rayo Vallecano, replacing Luka Modric in the XI.

Los Blancos were looking to avoid a third straight defeat after losses to Barcelona and Sevilla within the last week.

And they did so without Modric, who was sidelined with flu. Xabi Alonso, Asier Illarramendi and Di Maria made up the midfield three.

Dani Carvajal and Fabio Coentrao were preferred at right and left-back respectively, whilst Sergio Ramos partnered Pepe at centre-back.

The ‘BBC’ of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo started up front.

Paco Jemez meanwhile, named an attacking line-up with Ruben Rochina, Iago Falque, Joaquin Larrivey and Alberto Bueno all in the XI.

Real Madrid: Diego Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Alonso, Di Maria, Illarra; Benzema, Bale, Ronaldo

Rayo Vallecano: Rubén, Arbilla, Zé, Borja, Rat, Saúl, Trashorras, Falque, Rochina, Bueno, Larrivey

La Liga - Club News