James Rodriguez headed the opener before going off injured in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Wednesday which extended their lead at the top of La Liga to four points.
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Real warmed up for the Madrid derby against Atletico on Saturday with three points but it came at a cost with Sergio Ramos as well as Rodriguez going off injured in the first half.
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“I don’t think they will make it in time,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference.
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Marcelo will definitely miss the next game through suspension after picking up a yellow card but they will have Cristiano Ronaldo back after he completed his supension against Sevilla.
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“We may be lacking experience. Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo are among the best players in the world but it doesn’t worry me,” Ancelotti said.
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“We have lost experience but we will have players with plenty of enthusiasm and that is also very important.”
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Colombia international Rodriguez nodded home a Marcelo cross after 12 minutes in a copy of the goal he scored last weekend against Real Sociedad.
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Sevilla caused plenty of problems for the Real rearguard, especially in the first half, and Vicente Iborra hit a post having been played in by Vitolo.
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They had injury concerns of their own as keeper Beto went off on the half hour after a collision with Karim Benzema.
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Jese, who had come on for Rodriguez, combined with Benzema and Isco before slotting the ball home Real’s second 10 minutes before the break.
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Substitute Iago Aspas continued his recent hot streak in front of goal with a goal for Sevilla from close range after 80 minutes but it was only to be a consolation.
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Real lead the standings by four points from Barcelona with Atletico seven points adrift.
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“It was a difficult game against a strong side. It was a step forward as we picked up important points,” Ancelotti added.
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Sevilla coach Unai Emery was disappointed his side did not take their chances.
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“The most important thing is to create openings when you play in this stadium which is what we did but we didn’t finish them off,” he told a news conference.
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“We competed for the full 90 minutes but we didn’t get the goals that we deserved. I am satisfied with the work of the player and we showed that we were up to the task.”
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