JULY 27, Sporting Alert – Karim Benzema starts on the bench for Real Madrid against Inter Miland in today’s International Champions Cup game in China at Tianhe Stadium.
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Benzema, who was one of the goalscorers against Manchester City in the 4-1 victory the last time out in the pre-season tournament, is replaced in the starting XI by Jesse, with the team reporting that the Frenchman is carrying a slight knock.
Jess will play alongside Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in the attack, as manager Rafa Benitez continues to use his squad.
Another goalscoer in Melbourne, Pepe also starts as well and he will be partnered by Sergio Ramos, who is reportedly close to signing a new deal with the Spanish giants.
Danilo is preferred over Dani Carvajal at right-back but Marcelo stays on the left.
Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Isco start in midfield, but there was no place for Kiko Casilla, as Keylor Navas continues in goal.
Liverpool target Denis Cheryshev is on the bench, so too as Luka Modric, Martin Odegaard, Lucas Silva, Asier Illarramendi and Raphael Varane.
For Inter Milan, meanwhile, manager Roberto Mancini has decided to go with experience with Samir Handanovic starting in goal.
Mateo Kovacic, Mauro Icardi, Rodrigo Palacio, Hernanes, Marcelo Brozovic and Andrea Ranocchia all start for the Italian side, which was beaten 1-0 by city rivals AC Milan the last time out.
Among the substitutes tonight for Inter Milan are Freddy Guarin, Pedro Delgado, Razvan Popa, Davide Santon, Marco Andreolli, Danilo D’Ambrosio and Yuto Nagatomo.
Inter Milan: Handanovic, Montoya, Ranocchia, Murillo, Juan Jesus, Brozovic, Kondogbia, Hernanes, Kovacic, Mauro Icardi, Palacio.
Subs: Longo, Delgado, Turan, Andreolli, Guarin, Santon, Gnoukouri, Pablo Carrizo, D’Ambrosio, Berni, Nagatomo, Popa, Baldini, Dimarco, Delgado.
Real Madrid: Navas, Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Isco, Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jese.
Subs: Kiko Casilla, Romero, Varane, Nacho, James Rodriguez, Carvajal, Lucas Silva, Arbeloa, Lucas, Modric, Cheryshev, Illarramendi, Pacheco, Ruben Yanez Alabart, Marcos Llorente, Odegaard, Benzema
