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La Liga | Gameweek 16
Dec 15, 2018 at 5.30pm UK
 
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Solari urges fans to get behind team as Real Madrid face neighbours Rayo

:Headline: Solari urges fans to get behind team as Real Madrid face neighbours Rayo: ID:344204: from db_amp
The reigning European champions were beaten 3-0 at home by CSKA Moscow in midweek.

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari has called for unity as the club look to bounce back from a humbling Champions League loss in their final LaLiga game of the year.

Madrid face local rivals Rayo Vallecano at home on Saturday before heading to the United Arab Emirates for the FIFA Club World Cup.

But they approach the match with recriminations still coming from Wednesday’s 3-0 home defeat to CSKA Moscow, which saw a number of fans turn on the players and boo them off the pitch.

Solari called on those fans to get behind the club as they look to close a five-point gap to leaders Barcelona.

“I also heard applause the other day,” he said. “The fans are expressive and we respect that, but we also seek the support of the fans.

“All the club’s success has been achieved thanks to unity. We hope this weekend can push us on towards (the Club World Cup).”

Isco was one player put under the spotlight on Wednesday, with the midfielder appearing to respond to the crowd’s whistles.

Solari played down the incident and praised the 26-year-old’s attitude.

“He gave me the impression that he was protesting a corner or a foul,” Solari said. “He is a mature man, a professional. He has given a lot of joy to this club and will continue to do so.”

Real Madrid topped Group G despite the loss, and Solari was quick to highlight the overall success the reigning European champions have had since he took over from Julen Lopetegui.

“We have won eight out of 10 games,” he said.

Rayo sit second bottom in LaLiga and could be forgiven for not relishing a trip across town to the Bernabeu.

But coach Michel told his players to see the match as an opportunity and not something to fear.

“We look to the game thinking of a good match and the feeling of doing good things, getting something positive,” he said.

“Every game for us is an opportunity to go out there and add to our points. We do not throw a game away.

“We have tried to find their weaknesses but we know this is a game of maximum difficulty and we have to be prepared to suffer without the ball and have our moments with the ball.”

Gareth Bale was injured during the defeat to CSKA (Paul White/AP)

Madrid’s Gareth Bale was injured in the defeat to CSKA Moscow after coming on as a half-time substitute, with the Wales star suffering an ankle problem.

Solari said it was too soon to know if the 29-year-old would be able to play this weekend.

“It is not a question of rest,” he said. “It is his ankle. We will take a look at the evaluation and speak with him.”

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97
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