No Ronaldo but the mission must still be done.
During the whole of the week, Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card issue captured the attention of the media more than Real Madrid’s preparations ahead of the second part of the Spanish Primera Liga.
Sources from the Spanish giants also shared their opinions to the public; it was avowed that the club, who support him, will certainly miss him.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned for two matches after breaking the nose of Malaga’s defender Mtiliga in what has been seen as an accidental elbow incident.
Real Madrid, however, will have to get over the absence of their star player when they face Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.
The Riazor won’t define it
So the law has been set: Cristiano Ronaldo won’t play on Saturday through suspension. Now Gonzalo Higuain, who injured himself earlier in January, may not complete his return to fitness in time in order to help Los Blancos either.
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Perhaps Real Madrid won't have enough to build on in order to defeat Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor Stadium.
Fact: Real Madrid have lost eleven times and drawn five times against Deportivo in their last sixteen meetings against this side at the Riazor.
Fact: Los Blancos lack behind Barcelona with five points and the gap could open up to eight points before Real Madrid kick a ball on Saturday, if only the Catalans defeat Sporting Gijon away from home.
But Los Blancos defender Ezequiel Garay is full of confidence that La Liga title will not be decided at the Riazor.
“We won’t be playing for La Liga title in the Riazor because there’s still half of the entire season left.”
In fact, Real Madrid have won only once in their last four away matches. So they’ll need some extra luck and potential to break the curse that has prevented them from winning at the Riazor for so long.
Deportivo La Coruna out to fight the rest
Deportivo La Coruna are actually on a great run at home, picking up ten points in their last five games at the Riazor stadium.
They drew goalless with Valencia and beat Athletico Bilbao 3-1 in the process.
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This week, they also clinched a 1-0 victory over Sevilla in the Copa del Rey.
Despite being dumped out from that tournament with an aggregate 3-1 loss over their Andalusia opponents, Deportivo can still take their 1-0 win as a moral boost ahead of Saturday’s encounter against Real Madrid.
Deportivo La Coruna are currently fifth in La Liga standings and they are willing to keep up the good work that might see them taste Champions League football again.
Coach Lotina stated:
"Deportivo will fight to be amongst the best. There are other squads more adapted to being up at the top."
Indeed, and Real Madrid are part of those “adapted squads”. However, the Deportivo manager doesn’t fear much ahead of the game.
He just spoke about Los Blancos’ playmaker, Cristiano Ronaldo, who will not be available for the clash. The Portuguese winger scored against Deportivo in the first match of La Liga season and his nonappearance could now benefit Saturday’s home side.
Lotina affirmed:
"He [Cristiano Ronaldo] is among the world’s three best players. His absence would be a significant loss for any team.”
