Real Madrid are all set to take on Rayo Vallecano in their fifth La Liga match of the 2026/27 season in a little over an hour at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Having lost their previous league game to Real Betis, the Merengues will be eager to get things back on track and close the gap to leaders Barcelona, who are three points clear.
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With kickoff not far away, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Rayo Vallecano.
And the biggest headline is that marquee summer signing Yan Diomande makes his first start for Real Madrid.
The €140 million arrival from RB Leipzig has been drip-fed minutes off the bench so far by the manager, but has been thrust into the team tonight, replacing Brahim Diaz on the right flank.
What it also means is that Arda Guler has been left out by Mourinho after the youngster missed the midweek clash against Inter Milan through suspension.
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Bernardo Silva, who was also unavailable for the Champions League clash, is back in the double pivot for Real Madrid, where he partners club captain Federico Valverde.
Jude Bellingham continues in the attacking midfield position, while Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. retain their places in the team as well.
In defence, there are a couple of alterations as Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Carreras come into the side at the expense of Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella, respectively.
Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries complete the Real Madrid backline that will shield Thibaut Courtois in goal.
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