JOIN USReal fight past gritty Sevilla to extend lead
James Rodriguez headed the opener before going off injured in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Wednesday which extended their lead at the top of La Liga to four points.
Real warmed up for the Madrid derby against Atletico on Saturday with three points but it came at a cost with Sergio Ramos as well as Rodriguez going off injured in the first half.
Marcelo will definitely miss the next game through suspension after picking up a yellow card but they will have Cristiano Ronaldo back after he completed his supension against Sevilla.
"We may be lacking experience. Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo are among the best players in the world but it doesn't worry me," Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti said.
"We have lost experience but we will have players with plenty of enthusiasm and that is also very important." Colombia international Rodriguez nodded home a Marcelo cross after 12 minutes in a copy of the goal he scored last weekend against Real Sociedad.
Sevilla caused plenty of problems for the Real rearguard, especially in the first half, and Vicente Iborra hit a post having been played in by Vitolo. They had injury concerns of their own as keeper Beto went off on the half hour after a collision with Karim Benzema. Jese, who had come on for Rodriguez, combined with Benzema and Isco before slotting the ball home Real's second 10 minutes before the break.
Substitute Iago Aspas continued his recent hot streak in front of goal with a goal for Sevilla from close range after 80 minutes but it was only to be a consolation.
Real lead the standings by four points from Barcelona with Atletico seven points adrift.
Sevilla coach Unai Emery was disappointed his side did not take their chances.
"The most important thing is to create openings when you play in this stadium which is what we did but we didn't finish them off," he told a news conference. "We competed for the full 90 minutes but we didn't get the goals that we deserved. I am satisfied with the work of the player and we showed that we were up to the task."
Surgery for Rodriguez
Real Madrid's Colombian attacking midfielder James Rodríguez is set to undergo surgery on a fractured foot which could rule him out for two months, the Spanish league leaders said.
The club said scans have revealed a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in the right foot during a 2-1 league win over Sevilla on Wednesday.
The Colombian was forced off with less than half an hour played.
"After the tests carried out on James Rodriguez by the Real Madrid medical services he has been diagnosed with a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
Madrid's iconic defender Sergio Ramos also picked up an injury in the game while the rated wing-back Marcelo picked up another yellow card and both will miss Saturday's derby against Atletico.