No chances taken with Ronaldo

Real Madrid has to play matches against Athletic and Betis prior to the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals. These two league games will be very taxing despite the chances of winning this competition being very slim.

In order to avoid any player risking injury or being doubtful for the semi-final, the coaching staff have decided to ration out playing time. The most notable case is that of Cristiano Ronaldo. No chances can be taken with the Portuguese international, although if it were down to him he would play the full 90 minutes against both Athletic and Betis.

He did something similar when he lined up against Zaragoza in 'La Romareda' only three days before facing Galatasaray in the Bernabéu. He ran the risk thinking the team still had a chance of winning la Liga. But the gap between Madrid and Barcelona has not been reduced, having lost points away to Celta.

Mourinho gave up all hope of winning the league on that day and now, having reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, this is his main concern. He might not like it, but Ronaldo won't play a full match no matter what he says. In fact, he could find himself on the bench against Athletic and Betis. It would, however, do him good to play some minutes so as not to lose match fitness as the semi-final is a full two weeks away.