Madrid seek to swap crisis for X-mas cheer

Atletico eye top spot

MADRID, Dec 18, (AFP): Rafael Benitez could take charge of Real Madrid for the final time should the Spanish giants fail to end an alarming slump to see off humble city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Madrid have lost three of their last five league games to slip five points behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with Benitez rumoured to be one more defeat away from the sack.

However, it would take a monumental collapse for Real to fail to add to a run of 14 consecutive wins against Rayo stretching back over 15 years.

Barca’s participation in the Club World Cup this weekend does at least allow Madrid to cut the gap on one of their title rivals before La Liga shuts down for 10 days over Christmas.

Moreover, Benitez could have a fullyfit squad to choose from as Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal stepped up their recovery from injury this week.

Toni Kroos was surprisingly left out of the starting line-up for the 1-0 defeat at Villarreal last weekend amid rumours of a bust up with Benitez.

The German international also missed training on Thursday due to the flu, but is expected to be fit should Benitez wish to recall him. Madrid’s problems appear minimal compared to Rayo, who have slipped into the relegation zone after three consecutive league defeats.

Paco Jemez’s men did reach the last

Benitez

16 of the Copa del Rey on away goals on Wednesday, despite losing 3-1 at Getafe. Yet the performance offered Jemez little hope ahead of the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I would swap Madrid’s crisis for ours,” he said.

“If we play like we did against Malaga or today (Wednesday), we can’t even compete against a second division team. “If we play like we did against Villarreal, Espanyol, Las Palmas or Valencia then yes we will be competitive (against Madrid).”

Atletico are guaranteed to be at least