Two Real Madrid stars have been ruled out of their Champions League semi-final second leg with Manchester City – but Cristiano Ronaldo will play at the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo has missed Real’s last three games with a hamstring strain, including the first leg at the Etihad Stadium which finished 0-0, but has resumed training this week.
However, The Sun says that sources close to the Portuguese superstar suggest that he may only be 70% fit as Real and City fight it out to face Atletico Madrid in the final.
But Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that striker Karim Benzema, substituted at half time at Eastlands with his own hamstring problem, and midfielder Casemiro will not feature.
The Los Blancos coach is quoted by The Sun as saying: “Casemiro and Karim Benzema are different cases, we don’t want to risk Benzema at the moment and Casemiro has a slight problem.
“However we have a big squad that can help us cover all options.”
Benzema will be a big loss for Madrid, but is well compensated for by Ronaldo’s return. The three-time Ballon d’Or winner is the leading scorer in the competition this season.
He has scored 16 Champions League goals this term. Man City have managed 18 in total.
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