Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid preview - Ronaldo rested for Sociedad test

Posted Saturday, August 30, 2014 by PA

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Real Madrid's trip to Real Sociedad on Sunday to ensure he is in top shape for the derby clash with champions Atletico in their next Primera Division game.

The forward was left out of the squad for the trip north, even though Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti maintained he was not injured.

The Portugal international scored in his side's opening 2-0 win over Cordoba, but he is now set for a rest until the meeting with Atletico on September 13, with their opening Champions League group game at home to Basle coming three days later.

"Cristiano is fine, but we wanted to use this week and the next two weeks to ensure he recovers completely and to get him in top condition to prepare for the games against Atletico and the Champions League. He's not in the matchday squad," Ancelotti said at a press conference.

Ronaldo was also left out of the Portugal squad for their upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Madrid will also be starting life without midfielder Xabi Alonso after he completed a move to Bayern Munich - a departure which shocked his manager.

"Xabi leaving was a surprise because everything was fine," Ancelotti said. "He has made the decision and we are a bit surprised, but we respect it. He has been honest with Real Madrid and with himself. We respect him."

The visitors will come up against a Sociedad side still smarting from back-to-back defeats that have seen them begin their campaign on a sour note.

A 1-0 defeat at Eibar in their league opener was bad enough but they then failed to progress to the Europa League group stages as Krasnodar scored three goals in the final 19 minutes to win 3-1 in their play-off tie on Thursday.

Midfielder Esteban Granero knows it does not get any better for Sociedad against the champions of Europe.

He said in Marca: "An incredible team. Last year, they won their 10th Champions League and they came close to winning the Liga, so I think it was a great year for them."

Granero will face Madrid for the first time since leaving the Bernabeu for QPR in 2012 and he will welcome the chance to play against the club he first joined when he was eight years old.

He said: "It's really special for me to play this game. After all my life at Real, I have many friends there."