Real Madrid Femenino Announce Squad vs. Rayo Vallecano

Squad List

GK: Misa, Yohana

DEF: Kenti Robles, Ivana Andrés, Babett Peter, Samara Ortíz Cruz, Marta Corredera, Claudia Florentino

MID: Thaisa, Aurélie Kaci, Maite Oroz, Teresa Abelleira

FWD: Olga Carmona, Kosovare Asllani, Sofia Jakobsson, Marta Cardona, Lorena Navarro, Chioma Ubogagu, Jessica Martínez, Ariana Arias

Center-back Daiane remains out with her long-term problem, as does Malena Ortíz Cruz, who updated everyone about her injury situation on social media. Reserve goalkeeper Sara Ezquerro is the only other player missing.

Captain Ivana Andrés has returned after sitting out due to a suspension, and Real Madrid will need her after falling to a 1-1 draw vs. mid-table Sporting Huelva. That result means that Las Blancas have failed to win in three of their last four games, increasing the pressure to get back on track as the race for Champions League qualification starts to come to a close.

Rayo Vallecano sit in 12th place — one spot behind Sporting Huelva — and might look to replicate the sort of high pressing that has troubled Madrid’s double pivot all season. Whether coach David Aznar moves back to the more-used 4-3-3 to counter this remains to be seen.