Real Madrid vs Espanyol - 7M sport

Real Madrid vs Espanyol



Posted Saturday, February 06, 2010 by ESPN

Cristiano Ronaldo will not play against Espanyol after the CEDD postponed their decision on Real Madrid's appeal.

Real Madrid vs EspanyolThe Portugal star, who celebrated his 25th birthday today, was hoping the CEDD would halve his two-match suspension after he was sent off for elbowing Denmark international Patrick Mtiliga in the face.

But today's announcement means Ronaldo will miss the clash against the Catalan side at the Bernabeu - he also sat out Madrid's 3-1 win at Deportivo La Coruna last weekend - as Madrid look to maintain their Primera Division title challenge.

Los Merengues are currently five points adrift of leaders and arch rivals Barcelona and coach Manuel Pellegrini knows there is no margin for error at this stage of the season.

He said: "It is very important to claim points because every point that is lost makes achieving our aims more difficult.

"The goal is to take the three points at home and then go to Xerez."

By the time Madrid kick-off they could be a further three points adrift of Barca, who host Getafe earlier in the evening, but Pellegrini denied that added more pressure.

"We are obligated to win our matches and we must not focus on what Barcelona do," he added.

"We have to win points and then we will see what happens in the future."

Pellegrini, who has delayed the naming of his squad until the day of the game, also shrugged off the absence of Ronaldo.

He said: "Cristiano Ronaldo is a key player but without him we have topped the table and won big games.

"This is a good squad with great players and I am pleased with how we are doing."

Espanyol arrive at the Bernabeu on the back of a much-needed 1-0 home win over Athletic Bilbao.

The victory enabled Mauricio Pochettino's side to move six points clear of the relegation zone and he will send his side out with instructions to attack.

He told Radio Marca: "The team will set foot on the Bernabeu turf to play football and to take the game to Real Madrid.

"It will be a very difficult game because we know the quality of the opponent but the idea is to stick to our style of play and implement it the best way possible."

The visitors will be without captain Ivan De la Pena, who will go under the knife next week and could be sidelined for another three months.

The 33-year-old former Spain playmaker is to have an operation on a lower leg injury and, according to Espanyol, he might miss the next 12 weeks.

"The loss of De la Pena hurts us," admitted Pochettino. "But he has taken the decision that an operation is the best way to stop the problems.

"What we hope is that he will return to his best when he does come back."



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