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Copa del Rey - Zidane to Rest Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale against Numancia

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have been omitted from Real Madrid's 19-man squad for the Copa del Rey clash against Numancia on Wednesday night with Zinedine Zidane expecting to make wholesale changes to his line-up. Los Blancos have all but secured the qualification for the quarter finals in the after goals from Gareth Bale, Isco and Borja Mayoral gave them a 3-0 first leg advantage.

Zidane rotated his squad in the first leg and the Real boss will ring the changes when the second division side visit the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ronaldo and Bale are among the six first-team players rested by the Real manager after the Welshman proved that he is back to his best by scoring two goals during the 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo.

Zidane thus wants to have him fresh for the busy upcoming schedule with the dead rubber clash against Numancia coming only three days before another important La Liga clash with Villarreal on Saturday.

Raphael Varane, Marcelo, Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic have also been left out of the squad with Zidane promoting three players from the second team in the form of goalkeeper Moha Ramos, versatile defender Alvaro Tejero and promising playmaker Oscar.

Third keeper Luca Zidane, Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos will also miss the cup clash due to different injuries.

Zidane's son has been out of action since undergoing a shoulder surgery in November while Benzema is yet to play a game this year after suffering a thigh injury during the humiliating El Clasico defeat to Barcelona on 23 December.
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