Real Madrid travel without Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos and host of stars for Deportivo clash
Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane takes big risk in La Liga crunch ahead of Champions League semi-final double-header
ZINEDINE ZIDANE has taken a huge risking by leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and Toni Kroos out of the squad for Real Madrid’s trip to Deportivo tonight.
The weekend’s 3-2 El Clasico defeat means Los Blancos have slipped to second in the table, level on points with their rivals, but with a game in hand.
However, with just six games remaining for Zidane’s men, any slip-up could be fatal in their bid for a first La Liga title since 2012.
Keep up to date with ALL the Real Madrid news, gossip and transfers on our club page
Real Madrid are already without the suspended Sergio Ramos — who scored a dramatic winner in the reverse fixture — and the injured Gareth Bale for the trip to the Riazor.
But, prioritising the Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid in a week’s time, Zidane has chosen to travel without two of his big names.
most read in football
Barcelona host bottom-side, Granada, tonight — and could open up a three-point gap as their match will finish just before Real Madrid’s clash at Deportivo starts.
Zidane will almost certainly start his side’s man of the moment, Isco, who was instrumental when a much-changed line-up came through in a win over Sporting Gijon.
While he kept his place for the subsequent mammoth clashes against Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Meanwhile, James Rodriguez’s goal in El Clasico may have earned him another start — despite it appearing increasingly likely he will leave the Bernabeu in the summer.
Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez are expected to start alongside Alvaro Morata in attack.
Raphael Varane could start alongside Nacho in central defence in the absence of Ramos.
There is a new name in the squad as Alvaro Tejero, 20, is included, with his only other appearance coming nearly two years ago.
Real Madrid squad vs Deportivo: Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla, Ruben Yanez, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Danilo, Alvaro Tejero, James Rodriguez, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, Isco, Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez, Mariano, Alvaro Morata.