Ronaldo may not step out into the arena, but his name will rock the foundations of the Bernabéu. He might not be seen sprinting across the grass in typical fashion, but the fans will be behind him all the same. Real Madrid will have to do without Ronaldo on the pitch, but the 75,000 voices in the stands will make up for his absence.
With or without his trademark runs up the park, the fans will join together and chant the name of the best player to wear a Madrid shirt since Di Stéfano: Cristiano Ronaldo.
With the result of the FIFA Ballon d'Or thought to be a done deal, and Blatter public enemy number one in the eyes of Real Madrid fans, the match against Galatasaray will serve as a kind of tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo. He may not be there in body, but CR7 will be there in spirit.
Real Madrid has little to play for, having practically qualified for the next round of the Champions League. For this reason, Ancelotti can allow himself the luxury of giving his most illustrious foot soldier a well-deserved rest. It will be the first time this season the Portuguese star won't start an official match.
Xabi Alonso, the man who has turned Real Madrid around, will also bow out this time round. In contrast, Casillas will be back in goal.
It will be interesting to see how the as yet unseen midfield pairing of Illarramendi and Casemiro pans out. The Basque player has started to feel at home at Real Madrid and the pressure of playing in the Bernabéu has eased. Meanwhile, the Brazilian player showed in Almería that he has what it takes to make it at Real.
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