What’s the story?
Cristiano Ronaldo sits on four yellow cards this La Liga campaign (one away from a one match ban) and could potentially be suspended for the game against Barcelona if he picks up a yellow card against Sporting Gijon. Neymar, is likely to be suspended for the game after his sarcastic applause at the fourth official after being sent off against Malaga.
Also Read: Twitter Reacts to Neymar red card against Malaga
In case you didn’t know..
According to the rules of the Spanish League, a player goes unpunished till five yellow cards, but the fifth yellow card amounts in a one-match suspension. Like Ronaldo, Casemiro also was walking a tight rope with four yellow cards against his name, but the right-back picked up a booking against Atletico Madrid which would rule him out of Sporting game, but will now be available for the game against Barcelona.
Neymar, for his part, was naïve in his handling of the sending off against Barcelona. You wouldn’t expect the Portuguese captain, with his experience, to do something similar.
The heart of the matter
Cristiano Ronaldo will have to be at the best of his behaviour against Sporting Gijon if he wants to play against Barcelona. Alternatively, Zinedine Zidane could rest the Real Madrid man for the game, given it is sandwiched between two extremely important Champions League ties between Bayern Munich.
What’s Next?
Real Madrid have a tough run-in to the game against Barcelona. They have to face German champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and of course Sporting in the La Liga before the all important game on 24th April.
The game against Barcelona will most likely decide the destination of the La Liga trophy, so it is very important for Cristiano Ronaldo to protected before the game in every way possible. This will represent a true test for Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane’s management skills.
Author’s Take
Cristiano Ronaldo has 16 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid during El Clasicos, just behind Lionel Messi and Alfredo Di Stefano. His presence in itself will be a huge boost for Real Madrid.
If Neymar misses the El Classico, which he looks like doing at the moment, it would be a huge psychological boost for Real Madrid. But, a suspension to their main man would trump that and put the ball back to Barcelona’s court again.
Also, who doesn’t like to watch a Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi showdown?
