Real Madrid sports chief Pedja Mijatovic has backed the decision to rest Raul for their victory at Zenit St Petersburg. Raul was expected to start the game, but coach Bernd Schuster chose to leave him on the bench. Marca says Raul was not happy with the decision, having played the last four consecutive games.

Mijatovic insisted: "In this team there are no starters or substitutes. In this season, against so many good teams we have to suffer and we have to rotate to achieve our goals.

"We have three competitions and all players have to help. This time it was right to rest Raul and another day another player will do the same."