Ronaldo to miss Madrid derby
Aitor Karanka has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is to miss Saturday's Madrid derby, but says the Real Madrid forward should be fit for next Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Jose Mourinho's assistant told reporters after training at Madrid's Valdebebas facility on Friday afternoon that Ronaldo had picked up a thigh muscle injury during Madrid's shock 4-1 first leg defeat at Dortmund on Wednesday, and had not trained since.
"Ronaldo has a muscular problem," Karanka said. "He has not trained today or yesterday, so he is not in the squad for this game. We will see how he is in training on Sunday and Monday, but in principle he should be fine for Tuesday."
The Basque coach also said that Marcelo (hamstring) and Alvaro Arbeloa (back) were the only other players out, which means midfielders Luka Modric and Michael Essien should be available for Saturday's game at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
Jose Mourinho's assistant told reporters after training at Madrid's Valdebebas facility on Friday afternoon that Ronaldo had picked up a thigh muscle injury during Madrid's shock 4-1 first leg defeat at Dortmund on Wednesday, and had not trained since.
"Ronaldo has a muscular problem," Karanka said. "He has not trained today or yesterday, so he is not in the squad for this game. We will see how he is in training on Sunday and Monday, but in principle he should be fine for Tuesday."
The Basque coach also said that Marcelo (hamstring) and Alvaro Arbeloa (back) were the only other players out, which means midfielders Luka Modric and Michael Essien should be available for Saturday's game at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.