Skip to main content

Ramos returns for Real, Pepe and Di Maria out

Spain defender Sergio Ramos returned from injury for Real Madrid's home game against promoted Granada on Saturday, but Pepe and Angel di Maria failed to make the squad.

The Portugal defender has bruised ribs and is suspended while the Argentina winger is recovering from a thigh strain. Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Coentrao were left out.

"I am counting on having Kaka until June and next season," Mourinho said after a training session opened to the public on Friday. "I hope no one leaves, though it is possible because the market is open."

Malaga, seventh, have one eye on next week's King's Cup last 16 second leg against Real, but first have to host an Atletico Madrid side under new coach Diego Simeone on Saturday. Atletico, 10th, are direct rivals for the European places.

"Simeone has already logged some achievements as a coach, he knows Atletico very well," Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini said. "He takes over a team which had one or two problems on the pitch, we'll have to see if his arrival changes things."

"I return here with a grin from ear to ear, it is one of the happiest days of my life," Reyes told reporters. "I have changed a lot since I left [for Arsenal in 2004] but for the better."

Villarreal's new coach Jose Molina debuts with a local derby at home to third-placed Valencia on Sunday as he seeks to end a run of eight matches without a win.

The side known as 'the yellow submarine', who finished fourth last season, are 17th and only kept out of the relegation places by a superior goal difference over Sporting Gijon.

La Liga's basement side Real Zaragoza last won a match in October and their new coach Manolo Jimenez starts out with a 'six-pointer' away to the side above them in 19th place, Racing Santander, on Saturday.