Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid - Zidane confident title hopefuls cover loss of Ronaldo
Posted Saturday, April 23, 2016 by PA
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says he has plenty of players ready to step in to fill Cristiano Ronaldo's boots when the Portugal forward sits out Saturday's derby at Rayo Vallecano.
Ronaldo picked up a thigh problem during Wednesday's win over Villarreal, which kept third-placed Real just a point behind Primera Division leaders Barcelona.
The 31-year-old will not be risked for the short trip across the capital as the Spanish giants aim to have their talisman fit for next week's Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Zidane, though, is confident Real have enough cover to come through against their local rivals.
"They're all ready to fill in for him," Zidane said at a press conference, quoted on www.realmadrid.com.
"I'll pick a player who has similar attributes to Cristiano and he'll play on the left. We've got enough players to replace him tomorrow."
Zidane is also confident he will not be without Ronaldo for an extended spell.
"He's had an ultrasound and an MRI scan. It's nothing serious, but he's got a strain and he can't play tomorrow. We'll monitor it in the coming days," the Frenchman added.
"From time to time you need to rest, but to have a player who always wants to play, help the team, and want more... it's fantastic for a manager. There's a lot of good to come from this knock.
"He knows he can't play tomorrow, even if he wants to. He is focused on Tuesday's match. Even if tomorrow was a final, I don't think he'd play, it'd be a big risk
Despite his belief in the rest of the squad, Zidane accepts Ronaldo is "untouchable because of what his numbers show", with the former Manchester United man having scored 47 goals in 44 games for his club this season.
"We need to be talking to the players constantly, considering that sometimes a player needs a rest," Zidane said. "He (Ronaldo) gets a rest when he doesn't play, and he does it brilliantly, perfect."
"I don't think he's burnt out. He looks good to me.
"For a manager it's great to have a player like that, who always wants to play. I look at the positives, at what Cristiano can bring to the team".
Wales forward Gareth Bale is ready to return from a muscular strain which saw him miss the win over Villarreal.
Zidane said: "He is better, and training well. He looks fully recovered. The plan is to have him available and we'll see tomorrow".
Even if Los Blancos win all of their remaining four La Liga matches, that might not be enough to overhaul Barcelona, who boast the better head-to-head record against both Real and joint-leaders Atletico Madrid this season.
"There are four games and we know what we have to do to have any chance. We will try and win our four remaining games to give ourselves that hope," Zidane said.
Rayo are not yet clear of the relegation scrap, sitting in 16th place only three points ahead of Sporting Gijon.
Rayo have won their last two homes games, but coach Paco Jemez knows they will be up against it to make it hat-trick of victories this weekend.
"Against Madrid, we have to make the perfect match," he said on the club's official website.
"Our fans will require from us the utmost dedication and maximum delivery, so that is what we must give."
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