Rodrygo has been given the nod through the middle in Karim Benzema's absence, as Real Madrid face Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano in the Madrid derby.

Benzema is out of the La Liga contest with a thigh problem; Eden Hazard had been in contention to start as a false nine, but Rodrygo will play in a front three with Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde.

The midfield three is as expected, with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric being joined by Aurelien Tchouameni, who has taken on an important role this season due to the summer exit of Casemiro.

Carlo Ancelotti's other big call has come in central defence, where fit-again Eder Militao is given the nod over Antonio Rudiger to start alongside David Alaba.

Thibaut Courtois plays between the sticks, while it is Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy in the full-back positions for the reigning Spanish and European champions.

Benzema and Lucas Vazquez are Real Madrid's only injury absentees, and a strong bench includes the likes of Hazard, Marco Asensio, Rudiger and Eduardo Camavinga.

In all, there are three changes from the side that started against RB Leipzig in the Champions League last week, with Militao, Mendy and Kroos replacing Rudiger, Nacho and Camavinga.

REAL MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius

Bench: Lunin, Lopes, Vallejo, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Camavinga, Odriozola, Ceballos, Rudiger, Mariano

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