Deccan Chronicle

Ronaldo subbed as Real are held by puny Palmas

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insisted that, despite a sub-par display, Ronaldo had been substitute­d to keep him fresh for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund

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Madrid, Sept. 25: A substitute­d Cristiano Ronaldo cut a disconsola­te figure as Real Madrid conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Las Palmas on Saturday.

Ronaldo was replaced moments after helping Madrid go 2-1 in front when Karim Benzema slotted home the rebound after the Portuguese’s initial effort was saved.

However, he watched on as Sergio Araujo took advantage of some soft Madrid defending to level as the European champions dropped points for the second time in four days.

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insisted that, despite a sub-par display, Ronaldo had been replaced to keep him fresh for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund. “We have another game on Tuesday and he has to rest too now and again,” Zidane told Spanish TV station Movistar.

“It is obvious he always wants to stay on the field, but I have to think about my players and particular­ly Cristiano. I have to take him off sometimes and tonight we did it,” he added.

Real made the breakthrou­gh just after the halfhour mark when Javi Varas made a fine save from Nacho’s low effort, but Marco Asensio followed up to head into an empty net.

The lead lasted just five minutes, though, as Raphael Varane’s poor defensive header fell at the feet of Tana, who slotted past the helpless Kiko Casilla.

Varas denied Ronaldo midway through the second half, but substitute Benzema was on hand to turn home the loose ball.

Ronaldo was then replaced by Lucas Vazquez, but didn’t acknowledg­e Zidane as he sulked off the field. And the three-time World Player of the Year’s mood worsened when Araujo bundled his way past Casilla and Sergio Ramos to slot home the equaliser five minutes from time. — AFP

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