Gareth Bale is the headline absentee for Real Madrid as Santiago Solari instead opted for teenager Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vazquez in support of Karim Benzema for the El Clasico clash with Barcelona.

Exciting Brazilian wonderkid Vinicius has been a bright spark for Los Blancos in recent weeks but it was suggested he would be rested at the Camp Nou, having featured in Madrid’s last nine games.

Frenchman Benzema leads the line in this Copa del Rey semi-final first leg encounter, having been revitalised since emerging from Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow this season, while youngster Marcos Llorente starts in midfield alongside the fit again Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.