Ronaldo to start on Saturday
Cristiano Ronaldo's was supposed to spend three weeks on the sideline after suffering an injury in Real Madrid's 0-0 draw with Mallorca on the first weekend of La Liga action. Now, Ronaldo will start on Saturday as Los Blancos host Osasuna.
Coach Jose Mourinho announced that his Portuguese star would be in the starting eleven, much to the surprise of the Spanish media.
"Cristiano Ronaldo will be a starter," Mourinho said according to Real Madrid's official website. "I am afraid of the possibility he may get injured again. I am afraid someone may hit him, but that's normal in football.
Mourinho likes what he has seen from Ronaldo during training, and he feels that he is at the fitness level required to make a difference in the game.
"He has been training at least five hours a day at Valdebebas,” Mourinho said. “The medical staff and the player say he's 100 per cent fit to play, so he has the same risk of getting injured as the rest of his team-mates. He will play because he is fit and because it will be a difficult game.”
After a dismal performance in his debut, Mourinho is desperate for a victory at home. He understands the importance of not falling too far behind of the leaders, especially Barcelona.
"Our most important match right now is the one against Osasuna,” he said. “I won't give you my full line-up because I would like to leave two or three positions unknown to give the opposing coach something to think about.”
Mourinho proceeded to name several of the players who will start.
"I will only announce my starting eleven when my rival announces his," he said. "[Sergio] Ramos, Pepe, [Ricardo] Carvalho and Marcelo will surely play in defence. [Sami] Khedira and Xabi Alonso will take on midfield duties. Cristiano will play with [Gonzalo] Higuain. I cannot confirm if [Sergio] Canales will be a starter."
According to ESPN, Real Madrid are in 12th place. Osasuna are one spot ahead.
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