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Madrid strategist Jose Mourinho claims that Cristiano Ronaldo will not play in the first Champions League quarter-final match against Tottenham in London.
The leader of the Spanish team is still recovering from an ankle injury. Forward Karim Benzema, who has problems with his thigh, and Marcelo, who is struggling with rib pain, will also not take to the field.
According to Mourinho, the trio will not only miss the April 5 match in Madrid but also the Spanish league match against Athletic Bilbao four days later.
"That's what the doctors tell me," Mourinho said. "If they were ready, they would play on Saturday against Sporting Gijon, because those matches are more important - they are single games and not two-legged like in the Champions League.
"In the European tournament, if we don't win the first match, we can make up for it. But if we lose points at home in the Spanish league, the situation will become very complicated."
