Real Madrid have not lost a single league game refereed by Estrada Fernandez (W5 D1), but they have not been given a single penalty in those matches.
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The Blancos may well be able to call upon Benzema, with Madrid confirming on their Twitter account earlier in the week that the France worldwide had returned to training. “After tomorrow’s game there will be a break to prepare for the next”.
However, the club’s coach has admitted that he enjoys the challenge of ‘coaching the best team in the world’.
With the old-guards Sergio Ramos and Pepe sidelined for the important clash, the defensive mantle falls on Rafael Varane, who is set to start in the centre of the defence for the hosts.
Asked his opinion on Benzema – who has not been part of the national set-up since October after being questioned by police in connection with an alleged blackmail plot against worldwide team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape – Zidane said: “I’m not getting into that. Now I want him to think about football and nothing else”.
That opens the door for Zinedine Zidane’s men to close the gap in second to just a point should they beat Sevilla later today.
Real Madrid are on a four-game winning run in all competitions and have qualified for the quarter-final stage with a 4-0 round-of-16 aggregate win over Roma. They are five points below Villarreal.
Ever Banega is suspended for this fixture, while Vitolo and Yevhen Konoplyanka are doubtful for the away trip to Madrid.
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Real Madrid have won each of their last 7 home games against Sevilla since the 4-3 defeat back in December 2008. Tomorrow is the day and we want to show what we can.
