Real Madrid out to maintain tempo against Malmö
Monday, December 7, 2015
Article summary
Fresh from one of the best first halves of his side's season, Real Madrid coach Rafael Benítez is urging the Group A winners to keep up the good work against Malmö.
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Article body
- Rafael Benítez wants to keep Madrid's momentum going by recording a fifth straight win
- "We know we have qualified but we will try to win," he says
- Madrid have clinched first place in a group for the sixth time in the last seven seasons
- Malmö need a better result than Shakhtar get in Paris to finish third
- Åge Hareide set for last match as Malmö coach
Possible lineups
Real Madrid: Casilla; Danilo, Pepe, Nacho, Arbeloa; Casemiro, Kovačić, Isco; Lucas Vázquez, Jesé, Ronaldo.
Out: Sergio Ramos (shoulder), Varane (thigh), Carvajal (thigh), Navas (rested), Bale (rested), Modrić (rested)
Doubtful: Marcelo (groin)
Malmö: Wiland; Tinnerholm, Árnason, Brorsson, Konate; Rodić, Lewicki, Adu, Berget; Djurdjić, Eikrem.
Out: Azinovic (knee), Molins (knee), Bengtsson (suspended), Rosenberg (suspended)
Doubtful: Wiland (concussion)
Rafael Benítez, Real Madrid coach
We have won four games in a row and we are doing quite well. Our first half against Getafe was one of the best of the season. We have to repeat this as many times as possible.
This match does not mean a lot for us emotionally, but it could be a positive reinforcement for our next fixture, against Villarreal. We know we have qualified, but we will try to win. We respect Malmö.
Åge Hareide, Malmö coach
I don't want to think of this as my last match with Malmö, just a normal game. It has been a fantastic journey these past two years. We have experienced a lot together. I will continue following this team as a supporter.
We played very well against Real Madrid at home, but maybe there was too much fanfare around the match and that affected us. We did a great job, but the main difference is on the bench: Real Madrid have a lot of quality there.
Tomorrow I just want what I have always had at Malmö: 100% from the players and fans. That is why we are here. We did it together. I hope Malmö continue on that path and reach the UEFA Europa League.
Weekend results
Real Madrid 4-1 Getafe (Benzema 4 16, Bale 35, Ronaldo 38; Alexis 70)
Karim Benzema scored twice inside the first 20 minutes to set Madrid en route to a comfortable win. Gareth Bale's goal was his second in as many games, while Cristiano Ronaldo's strike was his tenth in the Liga this season.
Malmö – the 2015 Allsvenskan season finished on 31 October.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Real Madrid: WWWWLL
Malmö: LWLLWW
Reporter's view: Joe Walker (@UEFAcomJoeW)
With top spot in Group A secured, Benítez's side will look to sign off from the group stage in style with a clean sweep of victories at the Santiago Bernabéu. Madrid cannot take anything for granted against Malmö, who can secure a UEFA Europa League spot if they better Shakhtar's result in Paris and will be determined to improve on their last visit to the Spanish capital: a 5-0 hammering by Atlético last season.
Did you know?
Ronaldo scored twice past Johan Wiland in Madrid's 4-0 home win against København in 2013/14; find out more in our match background.