TEAM NEWS: Ronaldo starts as Real Madrid play Celta

10-Mar-2013 10:39:00 PM

Jose Mourinho makes a number of changes to the side that beat Manchester United at Old Trafford midweek but los Blancos' Portuguese forward remains in the starting XI

Cristiano Ronaldo is named in a much-changed Real Madrid team for this evening's Liga match against Celta at Estadio de Balaidos with Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos among those who don't start for the visitors.

Raul Albiol and Pepe start at centre-back for los Merengues, as Ramos and Raphael Varane are both left out of Jose Mourinho's squad. At right-back Michael Essien replaces Alvaro Arbeloa, while Marcelo comes in at left-back for Fabio Coentrao.

In midfield Luka Modric partners Sami Khedira as Alonso is named as a substitute. Jose Callejon, Mesut Ozil and Ronaldo are the trio that support Karim Benzema in attack.

Angel Di Maria is suspended for los Blancos.

Abel Resino juggles his squad for this match with a number of Celta players ruled out through injury.

Natxo Insa misses the Primera Division encounter with a hamstring problem, while defenders Hugo Mallo and Samuel (both knee) are also sidelined.

Alex Tunez plays alongside Vadim Demidov at centre-back for the hosts.

Resino is boosted by the news that Roberto Lago is fit to start at left-back after recovering from flu.

Celta (4-2-3-1): Varas; Jonny, Tunez, Demidov, Lago; Oubina, Lopez; Augusto, De Lucas, Krohn-Deli; Aspas

Subs: Sergio, Bermejo, Pranjic, Cabral, Bellvis, Park, Orellana

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Lopez; Essien, Albiol, Pepe, Marcelo; Khedira, Modric; Callejon, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema

Subs: Adan, Kaka, Carvalho, Arbeloa, Alonso, Morata, Higuain