Carlo Ancelotti has a selection headache when choosing who to play in Real Madrid's attack for the cross-city derby against Atletico Madrid this Sunday night.
That headache doesn't include two of the biggest names in his squad, however, with both Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard looking unlikely to claim a starting spot.
The decision the Italian has to make instead is to choose between Rodrygo Goes and Marco Asensio for the third attacking spot alongside the in-form Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema.
The fall of Bale and Hazard
It's hard to see Ancelotti playing Bale or Hazard in this one, especially considering that Vinicius is enjoying arguably the best period of his career, the ever-reliable Benzema is back fit, and Rodrygo and Asensio are also impressing.
Both Bale and Hazard are big names, they both earn big money, and they've both been plagued by injuries that have prevented them nailing down a place in the side in recent seasons.
Hazard has played 424 minutes so far this season, but just nine minutes in the last three matches. Illness after the international break has kept him out of Real Madrid's recent great run, which has seen them go top in LaLiga Santander and secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Belgian has also registered just one assist, doing so in the first game of the season against Alaves, when he in fact lined up alongside Bale and Benzema.
In the following game, Bale scored his only goal of the season away at Levante before picking up an injury in the second week of September against Celta Vigo and disappearing from the side completely.
Bale recovered only to pick up another injury on November 13 playing for Wales, but he is finally fit enough to feature again, having not reached even 200 minutes on the pitch so far this season for Los Blancos.
The return of Bale and Hazard won't give Ancelotti too much to think going into Sunday's match, because based on current form, the front three almost picks itself at the moment.
koealort
1
bale
Fizbdenoy
0
hazard is best player in real madrid but why ancelotti ignore hazard and bale remembered in UEFA real madrid vs liverpool in final bale scored in the game but now ancelotti ignore so why
Fizbdenoy
0
eden hazard is best but ancelotti ignore hazard
KartikBameta
0
What If..... HAZARD, BALE and MARCELO were in their Prime πππ
Alhajishamsi
0
today nice Madrid
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OK
Rutbceptuz
1
The most expensive, yet the most dispensable!
RM_y_nada_mas
0
[image]
You play too much games.. π
RM_y_nada_mas
1
today nice Madrid
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So you would choose to play with 9 players over 11 players?ππ€¦π½ββοΈ
KHMMURU07
6
At Madrid we prefer players that fights for the batch not a player who gets automatic line up in first 11 just because he was a good player in past. Vini is unstoppable,Benz is class and we have super sub in form of Goes,Asensio and Jovic and result is been shown with Carlo rightly benching Bale and Hazard.
C_7
1
And all Barcelona Players are guests now lol even the coach πππ
bdmadrid
4
Hazard & Bale will be injured for sitting on the Bench
Nanarasta00
1
You two should go and sleep at the hospital as usual, we donβt need and donβt count on you
Damelopuz
0
Benzema have to rest
Sly01
0
Hazard should be use in this game
tuabeklmsu
0
this will be the best
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We need vini to cause them problems on the break, this front 3 would be good for a game when we know we can dominate poseesion
radabdtyz
0
this will be the best
Zusceirsu
0
[image]
please which kind of Madrid are you support?
AnwellBhikham
5
Try them you might be suprise.bale back from injury is always on beast mode!not sure about hazard tho
MadridMaldives
5
Our 2 most expensive players of all time and the two who earns the most are going to be spectators in one of the biggest games of the season. Madrid spends on the pair β¬60m every season. What a sad reality. But the good news is our young wingers are doing extremely well and honestly no ones misses Hazard and Bale now.
Alhajishamsi
1
today nice Madrid
abk2019
3
Lucas V. Is better than both
Philchetz
4
they're spectators yet Barca can't raise a team with a forward, earth is really hard
Philchetz
0
The thing about Bale and Hazard is that both are well paid so the underperforming is all up to them.
you're lucky this guy's would be automatically in the first eleven of my broke barca
Philchetz
5
what a talent as a Barca fan im jealousy of Madrid surely if wishes were horses.....
monbnsty
0
abatyabaty
1
Hala Madrid
abatyabaty
1
Ben vini vasq
m4verickplays
5
The thing about Bale and Hazard is that both are well paid so the underperforming is all up to them.
Yizbclptz
3
Bale and Hazard are also spectators [Crylaugh]