UCL: Real Madrid to appeal Alonso's cards

May 3, 2014 3:36:45 PM
The midfielder will miss the
Champions League final unless their
bid to overturn his ban is successful,
though Real have been boosted by the
return to fitness of Sami Khedira
Real Madrid will appeal Xabi Alonso's
suspension for this month's Champions
League final, coach Carlo Ancelotti has
revealed.
Alonso was booked in the first half of Real's
4-0 semi-final second leg win over Bayern
Munich for a clumsy foul on Bastian
Schweinsteiger.
The yellow card was the Spain
international's third of the tournament, ruling
him out of the final against city rivals Atletico
Madrid in Lisbon on May 24.
Madrid were already 3-0 ahead – and 4-0 up
on aggregate – when Alonso committed his
foul, and he later claimed missing the final
was a "shame" and that being banned for the
final due to an accumulation of yellow cards
was an "unfair rule".
He could still feature in the showpiece
though, after Ancelotti told reporters on
Saturday that they would appeal against the
decision.
"Xabi Alonso's natural replacement is
(Asier) Illarramendi (if required)," Ancelotti
said.
"But we will appeal the yellow card."
Sami Khedira was tipped to replace Alonso
by some, with the Germany international
returning to training last month for the first
time since injuring his knee in a November
friendly against Italy.
And Ancelotti said he will play a part in his
matchday squad for Sunday's home clash
against Valencia.
"Khedira is available for tomorrow. He will
start on the bench," he added.
"Khedira will come back slowly (though). We
will organise a friendly in Valdebebas next
week to help him improve."