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Real Madrid will hope to bounce back from a midweek reality check as they visit cross-town rivals Rayo Vallecano for the lesser-known Madrid derby in La Liga action on Sunday.
Los Blancos were beaten 1-0 at Anfield in the Champions League, as Xabi Alonso’s side was second-best throughout the 90-minute contest. The margin of defeat could have been much larger had goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois not stood on his head for much of the game, keeping Liverpool from finding the net on multiple occasions.
Despite the European slip, Madrid are still La Liga leaders, holding a five-point lead over Barcelona while Villarreal and Atletico Madrid lurk close behind them.
Madrid will be aware of the threat Rayo Vallecano pose. Los Franjirrojos qualified for the UEFA Conference League with an eighth-place finish last season, and they rest in 10th currently thanks to a three-match league winning streak only snapped last time out in a 4-0 defeat to Villarreal.
Real Madrid lineup today vs. Rayo Vallecano: Confirmed starting XI
Formation: 4-4-2
Courtois (GK)
Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras
Brahim Diaz, Guler, Camavinga, Vinicius
Bellingham, Mbappe
Real Madrid team news
Trent Alexander-Arnold had been tipped to return to the starting lineup, but Alonso persisted with Federico Valverde at right-back, with Dani Carvajal a longer-term absentee with a knee problem. David Alaba was fit enough for the bench, but Antonio Rudiger was not risked.
Alonso set his side out in a 4-4-2 for this game, with Brahim Diaz brought in to start on the right wing and Arda Guler deployed infield alongside Eduardo Camavinga.
Jude Bellingham, recalled by England this week, joined Kylian Mbappe in a fluid front two.
Real Madrid injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Real Madrid, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Antonio Rudiger
- Injury: Thigh muscle tear (left leg)
- Expected return date: Late November 2025
Rudiger tore a thigh muscle in September and was given an estimated recovery period of three months. “Rudiger is still a little way off, but he’ll be fine for the next block,” Alonso said, hinting at a return on the other side of the November international break.
Franco Mastantuono
- Injury: Pubalgia
- Expected return date: Unknown
Teenage midfielder Mastantuono has been struck down by the same ailment that has hindered Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.
Similar to what is known as a “sports hernia,” the injury is one that has to be managed and can result in an absence ranging from a few weeks to several months depending on the severity.
Dani Carvajal
- Injury: Knee surgery
- Expected return date: Late December 2025
Spain star Carvajal missed the majority of last season due to a horrific ACL tear and the club confirmed he needs surgery on separate knee problem which flared up against Barcelona. He could miss the remainder of 2025 as part of his recovery.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid match details
- Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025
- Kickoff time: 4:15 p.m. local / 10:15 a.m. ET / 7:15 a.m. PT / 12:15 a.m. AEDT (Nov. 10)
- Location: Vallecas Stadium (Madrid, Spain)
- Competition: La Liga, Matchweek 12
- Referee: Juan Martinez
- VAR: Jorge Figueroa
