Real Madrid train under pressure after Karim Benzema injury - in pictures

Carlo Ancelotti's team look to maintain perfect start to season against Mallorca on Sunday

Real Madrid's striker Rodrygo (L), defender David Alaba (2L), striker Vinicius Jr (3R), midfielder Eden Hazard (2R) and defender Ferland Mendy (R) attend a training session at Valdebebas Sports City in Madrid, Spain, 10 September 2022. Real Madrid prepares for a Spanish LaLiga match against RCD Mallorca on 11 September. EPA / Rodrigo Jimenez

Real Madrid's striker Vinicius Jr attends a training session at Valdebebas complex ahead of Sunday's clash against Mallorca. EPA

Real Madrid's midfielder Eden Hazard and Rodrygo train on Saturday. EPA

Vinicius Jr and Luka Modric attend a training session in Madrid. EPA

Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois trains on Saturday. EPA

Midfielder Toni Kroos during training. EPA

Mariano takes part in Real Madrid's training session. EPA

Real Madrid's midfielder Lucas Vazquez trains with teammates. EPA

Real Madrid's brilliant early-season form will be put to the test in the absence of injured talisman Karim Benzema when Los Blancos travel to Real Mallorca on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti's team launched the defence of their Champions League title midweek with a 3-0 win at Celtic, but it came at a price with Benzema sustaining a thigh injury that is likely to rule him out until October.

In his absence, Vinicius Junior and Brazilian compatriot Rodyrgo will have to shoulder more of the burden up front for Real.

"We won't change our system just because Benzema is out. [Eden] Hazard will play," Ancelotti was quoted as saying by Real Madrid's website.

"He [Hazard] hasn't got the goalscoring streak like Karim, it's been a long time since he's played and I won't ask that of him. We mustn't lose the good run we're on in front of goal, we're linking up well and moving nicely. We don't need to change anything”.

Vinicius has scored in each of his past four matches, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his team-mates who have re-established Real as Europe's most successful club.

"Hopefully, at this club, I'm going to go down as a legend," the 22-year-old said this week.

"I can stay here for a long time and go down in the record books like Karim Benzema, Tony Kroos and Luka Modric."

Benzema joins defender Eder Militao on the sidelines, the Brazilian also picking up a muscle problem against Celtic, while Jesus Vallejo and Alvaro Odriozola are also likely absentees.

Real have won the first four games of the La Liga season.