Cristiano Ronaldo on bench for Real Madrid versus Deportivo

Posted Sunday, February 24, 2013 by Goal.com

The Portuguese receives a rare rest as Blancos boss Jose Mourinho rotates his squad with Tuesday's Copa del Rey Clasico at Camp Nou very much in mind

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has opted to leave Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for his side's La Liga trip to the Riazor to face Deportivo on Saturday evening.

Los Blancos have a vital match on the horizon as they face Barcelona in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie on Tuesday, and the Portuguese coach has has rotated his starting XI for the league clash as a result.

Diego Lopez continues in goal due to the absence of Iker Casillas. His defence will include the returning Marcelo, as well as Alvaro Arbeloa, Pepe, and Ricardo Carvalho. Luka Modric features in the middle of the park alongside Michael Essien.

With Ronaldo on the bench, Mourinho has opted for Jose Callejon, Kaka, and Angel Di Maria to support Gonzalo Higuain in attack.

Deportivo, meanwhile, have been boosted by the return of left-back Ayoze, who makes his first start since December.

Coach Fernando Vazquez will be looking for the likes of Pizzi, Riki, Bruno Gama, and Juan Valeron to flourish as the front four for Depor.

Deportivo (4-2-3-1): Aranzubia; Silvio, Kaka, Marchena, Ayoze; Abel Aguilar, Assuncao; Gama, Pizzi, Valeron; Riki.
Subs: Oliveira, Dominguez, Bergantinos, Vazquez, Camunas, Salomao, Lux.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Diego Lopez; Arbeloa, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo; Essien, Modric; Di Maria, Kaka, Callejon; Higuain.

Subs: Adan, Coentrao, Albiol, Khedira, Ozil, Ronaldo, Morata.