Real Madrid top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is out of Sunday's La Liga match at Celta Vigo, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday.
The Portugal captain, who has been struggling with minor injuries in recent weeks, limped out of Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Real Valladolid with an apparent thigh strain.
With the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid on May 24 looming, it had been decided not to risk aggravating the injury, Ancelotti said.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing tomorrow because he is not at 100 percent and I prefer not to take risks," Ancelotti said.
Midfielder Angel Di Maria and defenders Pepe, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal were also unavailable due to injury, he added.
Real need a win in Vigo to keep alive their faint hopes of pipping leaders Atletico and second-placed Barcelona to the title. With two games left, Atletico have 88 points, Barca 85 and Real 84 in third after consecutive draws that look to have wrecked their chances of a treble of Champions League, La Liga and King's Cup.
Atletico host Malaga on Sunday and Barca play at Elche and the top two meet at Barca's Nou Camp stadium on the final day of the season next weekend.
"We have to beat Celta and hope because in this league there have been a lot of surprises and there could be more," Ancelotti said. We will try to do our best because at this point there is nothing decided in mathematical terms."
Comments
0 comment