Madrid, Feb 5 (IANS) Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his confidence that Cristiano Ronaldo will play in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal in which his side entertains Atletico Madrid.
Ronaldo would miss out if the disciplinary committee of the Spanish Football Federation decides Wednesday to suspend him for more than three games after being sent off against Athletic Club Bilbao at the weekend, reports Xinhua.
Ronaldo was sent off for raking his hand down the face of Carlos Gurpegui, but then made disrespectful gestures as he walked off the pitch which is likely to increase his ban. Nevertheless, Ancelotti is confident his striker will start Wednesday in the Bernabeu.
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“I am certain he is not going to get a serious ban for that. Cristiano will play tomorrow,” said Ancelotti Tuesday insisting that the striker had not committed that grave an offence.
Ancelotti said that Gareth Bale would be fit for the game adding that Atletico, who have won on their last two visits to the Bernabeu, would ensure an intense game with few spaces.
Meanwhile Ancelotti’s opposite number Diego Simeone travels to the Bernabeu with his side top of the league and said Atletico will have the humility to interpret things well.
“They have a good team but we are competing well,” said Simeone.
The second semifinal sees FC Barcelona entertain Real Sociedad on the back of their shock home defeat to Valencia at the weekend. That result saw Barcelona knocked off the top of the league and coach Tata Martino admitted their failure to improve against Real Sociedad would be worrying.
“When our rivals start to play well, due to some of our errors, some tactical doubts begin to arise which hadn’t happened before. We have more space between lines and rival wingers start to give us more problems,” said Martino.
“Who is going to bet on our side if I don’t,” he said, no doubt aware that Real Sociedad strike duo of Carlos Vela and Antoine Griezman are exactly the type of pace forwards who will cause his team problems on the break.
