Why not? They already beat Inter AND AC Milan, Real aren't on the same level as Barcelona, and there defence is dodgy, Pepe is shitting himself at facing Crouch.
Which is exactly why Carlo made the right call (as usual) No point in starting our star striker for a game that means nothing, and risk an injury to an injury prone player. If Torres got injured and was out for a few weeks everyone would be blasting Carlo for playing him.