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Real Madrid will be without Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos this weekend

Real Madrid will be without Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos for this weekend’s game against fourteenth-placed Eibar.

After being one booking away from a one-match ban, all three players picked up yellow cards during the team’s 2-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

James was booked in the 20th minute for a handball, while Ronaldo and Kroos were yellow carded during a controversial incident in the 50th minute.

Replays showed that Ronaldo was clearly brought down by Antonio Amaya in the box. However, referee Mario Melero Lopez saw things differently and awarded Rayo Vallecano possession while brandishing the Real Madrid forward with a yellow card for simulation.

The decision from the official infuriated the team and subsequently Toni Kroos was booked for protesting the referee’s call a few minutes later after a heavy foul by Gareth Bale.

Ronaldo would later score his 300th goal for the club, but continued his protests against the yellow card until the full-time whistle.

Following the match, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti voiced his opinion on the incident and declared the club would appeal Ronaldo’s yellow card.

“I told the referee that everyone saw it was a penalty,” the manager said during his post-match press conference.

“I told him it was incredible that he didn’t award a penalty and that he showed Cristiano the yellow card. We will appeal.”

 

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