In Real Madrid’s dramatic late victory against Valencia there was a mildly comical moment in which Casemiro prevented Cristiano Ronaldo from forcing his fifth yellow card, which would have ensured a ban for the next match.
Now this may not make sense upon first reading but for some context, Ronaldo is one booking away from a suspension and it is imperative that he doesn’t miss the clash with Sevilla on May 14.
The best case scenario was for the Portuguese star to pick up a caution in Saturday’s clash with Los Che in order to ensure that doesn’t happen, instead ruling him out of next weekend’s trip to Granada.
He was ready to waste time late on in order to force the card except Casemiro wasn’t quite in on the plan.
Ronaldo was going to avoid taking the set-piece until the Brazilian took the touch without realising the situation much to the chagrin of both Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane on the touchline.
The French coach is now likely to rest Ronaldo against relegated Granada in order to avoid a suspension and be fresh for the two Champions League ties with Atletico Madrid, with the four bookings remaining over his head for the run-in.
