Julen Lopetegui has insisted he left Sergio Ramos out of Real Madrid's latest Champions League squad because he needs a rest.
Captain and key centre-back Ramos sustained a cut in the scoreless draw with cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid at the weekend and was subsequently left out of the 20-man travelling party picked to visit CSKA Moscow.
But while Gareth Bale, Isco and Marcelo are all unavailable through injury, Ramos' omission is purely with a view to preserving his fitness for the season ahead.
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The 32-year-old's exclusion presents another hurdle for the Champions League holders as they seek to move on from a two-game winless run in La Liga.