Why take Cristiano Ronaldo Off?

You are in a 0-0 draw coming off a halftime whistle in which you have, if not dominated, then certainly played better than you opponent. You may not have secured possession more than your opponent, but you have been more dangerous in attack, creating almost twice as many chances and shots on goal than they have. It has become a chippy affair, the stakes high and the buildup from the National Sports dailies immense, and their starting holding-midfielder is called for a secondary handball; it was overt as his head was down and looking at the ball, and it stopped a quick-strike counter-attack. There is a lull in play and you, Coach Pellegrini, signal in that you want a change. Your opponent is down a man, in the midfield especially just in front of defense, and here are your options.

Take one of these players off.

• Players on a yellow card: Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa, and Lassana Diarra. You can take on of these guys off to avoid the second yellow and equalizing matters further.
  
• Effectiveness: whether for personal reasons or because of your opponents tactical effect, Gonzalo Higuain was completely non-evident. Marcelo had stretches where he bombed forward and helped out in attack, but he disappeared frankly and was a non-effective third wheel behind Kaka and Cristiano. Xabi Alonso had a good game but his long-range passing was less than effective.

Put one of these players on:

• Attack: Raul gives you a fox in the box and experience in this derby in particular. He's the captain and leadership in this situation is key. Karim Benzema gives you a multi-dimensional modern day striker who links up well others, but whose skills are yet to be showcased properly. Either give you an adequate replacement for Pipita Higuain.
  
• Midfield: Royston Drenthe gives you speed on the wing to replace the depleted Marcelo. Either Pirata Granero or M. Diarra could replace Lass who is sitting on a yellow, and is dangerously out-of-control; calling to get sent off.
  
• Defense: Garay is a suitable replacement for Albiol.
  

If I were Pellegrini, I take off Marcelo, moving Kaka to the wing where he likes to initiate his attacks anyway, and I bring in Karim Benzema. I take off Lass, and I bring in Granero who gives you more of an attacking flair in that position. Instead, the real Pellegrini foregos all that and takes off Cristiano Ronaldo.

Look, I realize he's just returning from an injury and you want to conserve him for the season by not playing him more than the allotted 60 minutes that his Doctor prescribed, but budget his time differently then. Make him an early sub off the bench, bring him in on half-time, make him that player that energizes the match 20-30 minutes in. Take off any of the players above and replace them with any below, but keep your best player on the field during what we Americans call, "crunch-time." Pellegrini will get criticized alot in the papers for what he did, and honestly, rightfully so I believe.