Real Madrid will rest La Liga top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo for today’s match at Real Sociedad to give him time to recuperate and shake off a knee problem, coach Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday.

Ronaldo, who has scored 28 goals in Spain’s domestic league this season, has been complaining of discomfort in his left knee in recent weeks and has played on while receiving treatment from Real’s medical staff.

The Portugal captain limped off near the end of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final, first leg at home to Borussia Dortmund, which Real won 3-0, and Ancelotti said he would be back for Tuesday’s return game in Germany.

“We will rest Cristiano tomorrow because he is a bit tired,” Ancelotti told a news conference.

“We want to avoid taking any risks, we have a lot of important games coming up.”

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