Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti says Cristiano Ronaldo will not play in Los Blancos’ match against Celta Vigo tomorrow.
The Portuguese talisman went off in the eighth minute of his side’s 1-1 draw with Valladolid during the week, a result which massively dented the club’s title hopes.
With this in mind, Ancelotti revealed that he would not risk the player tomorrow but insisted his team will do all they can to win La Liga until it is a mathematical impossibility.
“I would prefer not to have any regrets,” Ancelotti said at a Press conference ahead of the trip to Galicia.
“Cristiano will not play tomorrow. If it were a final tomorrow I would play him but it isn’t. I will try to play him against Espanyol next week.
“Varane, Pepe, Di Maria and Carvajal will also not play. We are still going to do our best because mathematically anything can happen. We will put a team out to try to win.
“We are not thinking about the Champions League final yet. We have won a lot of matches without Cristiano.
“He is a vital player for us but I always say it’s better not to wallow. At the moment he is not at 100 per cent and we need to try to win without him.
“The decision is everyone’s and we have all decided that he shouldn’t play.
“The team is not happy with the last two draws we have had and we must react. We have no doubts for the final push.
“We have lost important points and now we need to try to win. Tomorrow, the League could be over for us or it could open up more.
“There have been a lot of surprises and we need to be ready to take advantage if there are more.”
The Italian also commented on several of his other players and tomorrow’s opponents Celta.
“Arbeloa and Khedira are available and I will decide what to do with them later. I need to see whether they will start or whether it would be better to bring them on in the second half, when there is less intensity in the match. They will definitely play.
“Khedira is very confident and really wants to play. Arbeloa has worked very hard and with incredible professionalism.
“Modric’s role? He has always felt comfortable. The presence of Xabi Alonso has helped him a lot, they are a very good pair. He has played with a lot of personality and has done very well.
“Celta are a team who play football with an offensive mindset and an attractive style. I’m expecting a good team.
“They have very quick players and our defensive work needs to be very good in order to gain control.
“Our aim is to win because anything can happen.”
