Ronaldo rested as Real Madrid chase record unbeaten run

MADRID

Real Madrid will have to cope without Cristiano Ronaldo if they are to set a club record by extending their unbeaten run to 35 games when Deportivo la Coruna visit on Saturday.

The rested Ronaldo was left out of coach Zinedine Zidane's squad along with Luka Modric and Karim Benzema with one eye on the Club World Cup in Japan next week.

However, the Portuguese star has also had to refute claims this week concerning his tax affairs that have dominated the headlines.

An international consortium of media organisations claimed last Friday that Ronaldo hid 150 million euros ($160 million) earned from image rights in the British Virgin Islands.

Ronaldo, 31, denies wrongdoing and said after Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund that "he who owes nothing isn't afraid".

"I am sure that when people speak about these things, it has an effect, but the most important thing is that it is all resolved quickly," said Zidane on Friday.

"We just want to think about football and winning games."

Zidane has taken a risk by also leaving out key midfielder Modric and Benzema. Gareth Bale also remains out injured, but Toni Kroos and Alvaro Morata are set for their first starts in a month after returning from injury against Dortmund in midweek.

Deportivo's last visit to the Santiago Bernabeu was Zidane's first match in charge back in January and ended in a 5-0 thrashing in favour of the hosts.

However, Deportivo have been buoyed by a surprise 5-1 romp over high-flying Real Sociedad on Monday to register a first league win since early October and move out of the relegation zone.

"I am always optimistic and I am going there with the hope of getting something from the game," said Deportivo boss Gaizka Garitano.

"We are in the more desperate situation and we are not going to the Bernabeu just to make up the numbers."

NEYMAR SUSPENDED

Barcelona can cut the gap to three points before Madrid kick off with victory at rock-bottom Osasuna earlier on Saturday.

After the blow of conceding a last-minute equaliser to Madrid in last weekend's El Clasico, Barca got back to winning ways with a 4-0 hammering of Borussia Moenchengladbach on Tuesday in the Champions League.

Crucially, the returning Andres Iniesta has starred in his first two appearances after a six-week injury layoff.

With their captain restored, the Catalans looked like the Barca of old by registering a competition-record 993 passes against the Germans in midweek.

"The most important thing is that the team continues to believe in what it does and how it does it," said Iniesta.

"I am convinced we will get to the final months of the season in the hunt for all the trophies."

Neymar is suspended so Arda Turan is expected to deputise alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in attack after netting a hat-trick against Moenchengladbach.

Sevilla were the one Spanish side not assured of their place in the Champions League last 16 before this week, but ground out a 0-0 draw at Lyon to progress.

However, struggles on the road have been a common theme for Jorge Sampaoli's men as despite lying third in La Liga, seven points adrift of Real, they have won just four of their 12 away games this season.

The Europa League holders will be keen to make amends for a shock 2-1 defeat at Granada last weekend and maintain a two-point lead over Atletico Madrid when they travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Atletico aren't in action until Monday when they visit sixth-placed Villarreal in a crucial clash in the fight to qualify for next season's Champions League.

FIXTURES (all times EAT)

Friday

Malaga v Granada (10.45pm)

Saturday

Osasuna v Barcelona (3pm), Real Sociedad v Valencia (6.15pm), Las Palmas v Leganes (7.30pm), Real Madrid v Deportivo la Coruna (10.45pm)

Sunday

Eibar v Alaves (2pm), Celta Vigo v Sevilla (6.15pm), Espanyol v Sporting Gijon (7.30pm), Real Betis v Athletic Bilbao (10.45pm)

Monday

Villarreal v Atletico Madrid (10.45pm)