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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
1Real Madrid19134243192443
2Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia1826101728-1112
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512
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