adminMADRID. — Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will rest his Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo for today’s Spanish La Liga soccer clash against Real Sociedad, the Italian confirmed yesterday.The double Ballon d’Or winner has been struggling with a knee injury and fatigue in recent weeks, although that didn’t stop the 29-year-old equalling the Champions League record for goals in one season last Wednesday.
The former Manchester United striker picked up his 14th goal in this season’s competition during the 3-0 quarter-final first-leg win over Borussia Dortmund in midweek.
“Tomorrow (today), we will rest Cristiano,” explained Ancelotti. “He’s a bit tired and we don’t want to take a risk. We prefer to leave him at home and have him work on his training so he’s ready for Tuesday night,” added the Italian in reference to the second leg against Dortmund.
“We have spoken to him and decided together that it was for the best that he rested. Tuesday, he will be fresher and can better recuperate after a string of matches.”
Real come into the weekend in third spot, three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid with Barcelona two points above Ancelotti’s side.
And Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso believes his side still have every chance of claiming the La Liga title this year despite falling into third place with just seven games remaining.
Los Blancos’ city rivals Atletico Madrid lead the way on 76 points, one ahead of Barcelona in second with Real a further two points behind the Catalans.
Things are further complicated for Carlo Ancelotti’s men because they have an inferior head-to-head record against both Atletico and Barca meaning they can’t afford to even finish level on points with either of their title rivals.
Two defeats in consecutive games to Barcelona and Sevilla last month have cost Real dearly, but they have bounced back with two comprehensive wins over Rayo Vallecano and Borussia Dortmund and Alonso is hoping there will be more surprises to come in the final few weeks of the season.
“The teams that beat us were in great form, we didn’t play well in two games and we committed errors that we paid very heavily for,” he told the club’s website.
“In the league we have lost the advantage that we had, but we need to keep fighting because there could be surprises. My personal performance is tied to the team. It was not good news for us, but that is football. We were behind before and we came back.”
Madrid face arguably their most difficult league game remaining this season when they travel to face Champions League chasing Real Sociedad today and, as a former Sociedad player, Alonso knows what to expect in San Sebastian.
“Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have more serious injury problems to overcome as they host Villarreal and Real Betis respectively today.
Barca defender Gerard Pique will miss the next four weeks after suffering a hairline fracture in his right hip during the Catalans 1-1 draw against Atletico in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Fixtures
Today: Atletico Madrid v Villarreal (4pm), Barcelona v Real Betis (6pm), Real Sociedad v Real Madrid (8pm), Rayo Vallecano v Celta Vigo (10pm)
Tomorrow: Malaga v Granada (12noon), Elche v Getafe (6pm), Sevilla v Espanyol (8pm), Valladolid v Valencia (10pm)
Monday: Levante v Athletic Bilbao (10pm) — AFP.
Online Reporter
Peter Tanyanyiwa