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Tuesday Kickoff: Ronaldo could play vs. Bayern; Eto’o ruled out; and more

CristianoRonaldoRealMadrid-RCDEspanyol (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Cristiano Ronaldo is back in Real Madrid’s squad ahead of their crucial UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but it’s touch and go whether he will start.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti stated in his pre-match press conference that him and his staff will wait until Wednesday to make a decision on the starting lineup.

“He trained quite normally today, like any day,” Ancelotti said. “(Wednesday) we will test him again and see how it goes. He will play if everyone us sure that it is safe. If there is any risk of a relapse, he won’t play.

“He’s raring to go. That’s normal, as the game is important for us all. He’s motivated, just as all the others are.”

Ronaldo hasn’t played since April 2 in a match against Borussia Dortmund when he limped off with a knock in the 80th minute. First he struggled with a knee problem and then ended up with a hamstring injury that he suffered in training, keeping him off the field the last three weeks.

Here are some more stories to start off your Tuesday:

ETO’O TO MISS FIRST LEG VS. ATLETICO

Chelsea will be without their first-choice forward for their match against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday afternoon.

Samuel Eto’o didn’t travel with the Chelsea squad to Madrid as he deals with a knee injury, likely forcing Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to turn to former Atletico Madrid star Fernando Torres to start for the Blues.

Mourinho didn’t reveal on Monday whether he would start Torres but he said he thought Torres would be up for the challenge.

“I have no doubts that the minutes he is on the pitch (on Tuesday) he is going to try and do everything for Chelsea,” Mourinho said. “I am not saying that Fernando is going to start, but I am saying that he never hides.”

SILVA RULED OUT FOR TWO WEEKS

Chelsea aren’t the only side dealing with an injury to a key player.

Manchester City learned on Tuesday that midfield maestro David Silva’s ankle injury will keep him off the field for two weeks, though that timetable is better than originally expected, according to a report in The Guardian. Silva was stretchered off in the 69th minute after a challenge from West Bromwich Albion’s Morgan Amalfitano.

The report states that Silva could return as soon as May 7 for Man City’s penultimate match of the season against Aston Villa. Silva has scored seven goals in 24 English Premier League appearances this season.

QUICK KICKS

Fabio Capello has announced he will retire from soccer management following the 2018 World Cup, where he will coach the hosts, Russia. (REPORT)

A report in Brazil states that FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke earned a salary from FIFA even when he was away from the organization in 2007 while he worked part-time with Brazil’s World Cup campaign. (REPORT)

Hertha Berlin captain Fabian Lustenberger will miss the rest of the Bundesliga season after suffering a torn muscle in his thigh, and his World Cup hopes to play with Switzerland are in serious doubt. (REPORT)

Contrary to many reports, Inter Milan owner Erick Thohir says that manager Walter Mazzari will remain with the club into next season. (REPORT)

Lazio are expecting Juventus to bid this summer for wing back Senad Lulic, though Juve will need to pay €7-8 million plus either Sebastian Giovinco, Fabio Quagliarella, or Mauricio Isla. (REPORT)

Cruz Azul goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona is eligible to play in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final after an appeal to CONCACAF saw Corona’s suspension reduced. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Ronaldo starting? Do you think Torres could raise his game against Atletico Madrid? How big of a loss is David Silva to the Man City lineup at this point in the season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. “him and his staff will wait”? Pretty sure it’s “he and his staff” but I’m just going off of my 7th grade grammar class . . .

    Reply
    • The first letter of the first word of each sentence should be capitalized.
      The question mark should come before the quotation mark.”
      “Pretty sure it’s…” has no subject and should be changed.
      You need a comma before “but” in your second ‘sentence.’

      Reply

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