Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has decided to rest several first-team regulars for Tuesday’s round of 32 Copa del Rey second leg match at home against Ponferradina.
The former Inter boss has decided to leave star player Cristiano Ronaldo out of his match squad, while Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Marcelo, Lassana Diarra, Kaka, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain will all be rested as well.
Ronaldo did feature in the first leg of the Copa tie earlier this month and netted once to help Madrid to a 2-0 away win.
Nevertheless, Mourinho is confident that los Blancos will be able to seal the deal without the Portuguese attacker, and has therefore opted to rest him for Madrid’s last match before the winter break.
The absence of the key figures means that fringe players such as Nuri Sahin, Jose Callejon and Esteban Granero could all get playing time again at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Adan, Jesus, Pacheco
Defenders: Pepe, Coentrao, Varane, Nacho, Casado
Midfielders: Sahin, Altintop, Ozil, Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Granero
Forwards: Joselu, Benzema, Callejon