(Football news) Real Madrid have a very difficult situation in front of them. The Los Blancos play Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey Quarter finals on Thursday. Karim Benzema who picked up an injury in their last match against Elche is highly unlikely to play the match.

Currently 5 Real Madrid players are playing South American World Cup qualifiers. Casemiro, Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr with Brazil and Federico Valverde with Uruguay. Both Brazil and Uruguay play a game on Tuesday. Thankfully for Carlo Ancelotti, his first choice centre back Militao is suspended for that game and has been given permission to return to Madrid therefore should be available for the Copa del Rey clash. Casemiro and Vinicius Jr are the first names on the Real Madrid team sheet while Marco Asensio's injury makes Rodrygo a starter as well. Federico Valverde is an important substitute who controls the game late on with his energy.

Vinicius Jr played 63 minutes while Casemiro played the full game for Brazil against Ecuador on 27th January. Rodrygo however didn't play a single minute. According to reports Carlo Ancelotti requested Brazil coach Tite to not start Vinicius and Rodrygo on Tuesday against Paraguay to which Tite has agreed as Brazil have nearly secured their qualification. This will mean that Vinicius and Casemiro could be fit enough to at least make the bench in Thursday's game against Athletic Club.

Real Madrid still have a massive disadvantage due to the potential absence of Benzema. The game will be a one legged affair which Real Madrid's Copa del Rey journey could be over on Thursday. Both Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard are fit and could start on the wings while Eduardo Camavinga could take Casemiro's position. Carlo Ancelotti may have to play conservatively and try and grind out a win rather than trying to take on the game.

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