With Cristiano out, James Rodríguez set to take control

Other events overshadow tonight’s game at Anoeta. A Real Sociedad side already depressed from their poor start to the season and a Real Madrid side distracted about their immediate future. The key is whether the depression in Donostia which sees the local side out of European competition and with their squad weakened by constant departures is offset by the absence of Cristiano who has been advised to rest by medics. Madrid played 13 games without the Portuguese player last season and only lost on two occasions, Dortmund and Vigo. Anoeta also saw a Madrid side without Ronaldo walk away with a 0-4 scoreline at the end of last season.

Madrid couldn’t find the time last season to give Cristiano a rest but had to do without him for the Copa Del Rey final and used him at key stages of the season with the player not fully fit. Now, following medical advice the club are forced to react and give Ronaldo a break, just at the time where the squad starts to look thin with players leaving and injuries. Much has been written during the summer about the lack of another number nine at the club and with just over 24 hours remaining before the transfer window closes alarm bells are sounding. Twenty year old Raúl de Tomás has been drafted into the squad for the trip to San Sebastian and surely Ancelotti will be hoping for activity in Monday’s last day of transfer business.

The Italian coach, quietly aware that his side have yet to find their rhythm needs to chose between Khedira or Isco, one player favoured by the coach, the other by the fans. Everything points to Isco getting a start despite the arrival of James who has knocked the Spaniard down the pecking order after a discreet debut year at the Bernabéu despite making 23 league starts and six starts in the Champions League. Isco was however not selected in the clubs key games (the ties against Barça, Atlético, Dortmund, Munich and the Champions League final in Lisbon). Del Bosque gave him some good news on Friday and this evening he will be hoping for some more after just playing 62 minutes this season.

Things are worse for Real Sociedad, surprisingly eliminated in the Europa League, beaten by local rivals Eibar in their historic debut in primera and with both summer signings Rulli and Finnbogason both injured. Carlos Vela is out of form and Arrasate losing credit with the Anoeta faithful. The fate of the coach could be decided by two ex-Madrid players, Canales and Graneo and a home defeat could possibly produce the first managerial casualty of the season.

from Últimas noticias | Diario AS http://ift.tt/1CgaQVB

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