Zinedine Zidane's Dani Ceballos problem and other Real Madrid talking points

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  • Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos

    Real Madrid can close the gap on city rivals Atletico in La Liga to just four points, if the Whites triumph on Saturday night at home to Alaves.

    Diego Simeone’s men face a tricky trip to Sevilla on Sunday, giving Los Blancos the opportunity to get close to their second-placed neighbours.

    Real are unbeaten in six league matches since January’s 1-0 home defeat to Villarreal and have plundered 13 goals in their past three La Liga fixtures.

    Confidence is high among Zinedine Zidane‘s squad but the Frenchman has plenty to mull over ahead of the Bernabeu clash.

    SELECTION HEADACHE FOR REAL

    Marco Asensio could miss out.

    Club captain Sergio Ramos picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Leganes in the mid-week 3-1 win and will miss this clash as he serves a one-match ban.

    He joins Marcelo on the sidelines, with the Brazilian still recovering from the leg injury he sustained in the 5-3 victory at Real Betis.

    It means Nacho is the man likely to come in at centre-back for Ramos and partner the ever-improving Raphael Varane in the backline.

    Luka Modric (hamstring) and Toni Kroos (knee) are also both missing in the engine room while Jesus Vallejo (thigh) is a major doubt for this one.

    The other issue centres on Marco Asensio, who is rated at 50-50 as to whether he will take to the pitch after missing training on Friday following the removal of a wisdom tooth.

    His absence could mean the in-form Lucas Vazquez will keep his place after a goalscoring outing against Leganes.

    KEY MEN TO RETURN

    SEVILLE, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 18: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga match between Real Betis and Real Madrid at Benito Villamrin stadium on February 18, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

    Rested and refreshed: Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Whites legend Cristiano Ronaldo was given the night off on Wednesday but will come straight back into the XI and should be refreshed after taking a break away with his family.

    With this match and two more La Liga fixtures to come before the March 6 Champions League return leg against Paris Saint-Germain, it was a sensible call from Zidane.

    Goalkeeper Keylor Navas will also come straight back in after being rested in favour of back-up Kiko Casilla.

    Welshman Gareth Bale, who came off the bench three days ago, is also likely to play from the start while Mateo Kovacic and Karim Benzema should retain their places in a more fluid system, echoing a 4-4-2.

    AND WHAT NEXT FOR DANI CEBALLOS?

    LEGANES, SPAIN - JANUARY 18: Daniel Ceballos (2ndR) of Real Madrid CF competes for the ball with Ruben Perez (R) and his teammate Gerard Gumbau (L) of Deportivo Leganes during the Copa del Rey quarter final first leg match between Real Madrid CF and Club Deportivo Leganes at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on January 18, 2018 in Leganes, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

    What does the future hold in store for Daniel Ceballos?

    It’s not often a stoppage-time substitution when the game is already won makes the headlines, but the 21-year-old’s 29 seconds on the pitch against Leganes has caused quite a stir.

    The former Real Betis midfielder reportedly let it be known he wasn’t best pleased but perhaps he should have been grateful for some game time given he had not featured in La Liga since last December previously?

    Either way, whatever the politics, reasons or message behind Zidane’s substitution was, may be Ceballos should take it as a sign that he is closer to the first-team than he thinks.

    With injuries in the midfield, he has to take the next chance that comes along, whether that’s on Saturday or not.

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