Real Madrid will travel to Valladolid without Benzema, the latest player to pick up an injury. 'Los Blancos' need the three points if they want to stay in the La Liga title race.
If Zidane had his time again, he may not have agreed to send Odegaard and Jovic on loan to Arsenal and Eintracht Frankfurt. A load of injuries including Ramos and Hazard mean that the Norwegian and the Serb could have easily had game time.
In midfield, Odegaard could have played to allow one of Kroos and Modric, both indisputable starters, to rest as Isco seems to have been forgotten about completely. In the game against Getafe, the German midfielder's absence meant 'Zizu' decided to play three central defenders. That way, he did not have to play Isco.
Jovic could have played ahead of a Mariano who has not had his best seasons of his career at Real Madrid. The Eintracht attacker had, as a result of Benzema's injury, an opportunity to shine and finally kickstart his Real Madrid career. However, he will have to stay at the Bundesliga outfit until the end of the season.
Real Madrid have nine players out for their final league game before their return to European action. Zidane's men will be looking to make the quarter-finals against an Atalanta who can do severe damage in attack.