Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti expressed his surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo was not able to play in his side's 3-0 win over Elche on Saturday after the Portuguese's appeal against a three-game suspension was rejected.
Ronaldo had already served his suspension for two of the games after being sent-off against Athletic Bilbao earlier this month and then showing clear signs of dissent as he left the field.
However, a decision on the club's appeal to the new Spanish administrative sports court wasn't taken until barely two hours before kick-off at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
And Ancelotti believes the whole situation has been handled badly.
"Nobody is happy with this situation. A suspension of three games doesn't seem normal to me, nor does the fact that it wasn't reduced at least one game on appeal and that we had to wait until two o'clock to know that he couldn't play," said the Italian.
"It is an incredible situation. Luckily, the rest of the players have played very well in these three games and we have won. I don't understand the situation and I will not forget it."
On the field it was another satisfactory afternoon for Ancelotti, though, as his side moved three points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga for a few hours at least thanks to goals from Asier Illarramendi, Gareth Bale and Isco.
Bale's was the pick of the bunch as the Welshman shrugged off a frustrating afternoon until that point to smash home his 12th goal of the season from 30 yards 19 minutes from time.
Ancelotti admitted that Bale had been far from his best during the first hour of the game, but hailed his impact after finding the net.
"He was a different player before and after the goal.
"Before he was playing without confidence and then everything changed. Obviously, given the type of player he is, the goal helped him a lot.
"It is difficult to play against a well-organised team and it is difficult to find space. Before the goal he did ok, but after he was brilliant."
Madrid now face a huge week as they return to Champions League action when they travel to face Schalke in the first leg of their last 16 tie before facing Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon next Sunday.
As well as Ronaldo, Ancelotti will be able to recall Luka Modric from suspension for the trip to Germany, whilst Sergio Ramos will also return after being rested against Elche.
And Ancelotti suggested he will use the resources of his ample squad in both games with only left-backs Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao injury doubts.
"Against Schalke we need to see how Marcelo and Coentrao are. We will play the strongest team we have available.
"Right now all the games are very important so it could be that whoever doesn't play on Wednesday will play on Sunday."
Source: AFP
