Zinedine Zidane has urged Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to shrug off any criticism from the club’s fans ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 meeting with Roma.
Advertisement
Real should also have Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Marcelo back after they missed Saturday’s 7-1 rout of Celta Vigo when Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals.
However, he insisted he is still matching the same standards as those which have seen him crowned the World Player of the Year three times in the past decade. The side from Vigo have netted in both matches they played against Barcelona this term, as well as against Real Madrid back in October and pose a serious threat to Real. “That is good to help us improve and do more”. Because I continue to always see the stadium filled.
“I expected that to happen”, said the coach, explaining that “when you have the ball you run more than your rivals”.
“All games in Spain are special but when you face one of the great teams it is even more so”.
“The first result penalises us, but must not think about the result, if all the talk is about having to score three goals it becomes hard”. “Many people feel that tomorrow’s match will be easy and that is not true”.
And Bale showed what Madrid were missing last week against Atletico when he drove at the Celta defence before firing in his 14th goal of the season off the post.
The channel will be showing Real Madrid’s clash with AS Roma from the Santiago Bernabeu and it will be available to anyone who tunes their Freeview box to channel 59 from 7:45pm.
With Karim Benzema still injured, the attacking burden will once again fall on the Portugal captain, although Gareth Bale returned from a calf injury with a goal from the bench against Celta and may get a start in continental action.
“I know it’ll be hard, they’re very strong”.
“I mean, on Tuesday we are playing in the Champions League”.
A good starting point would be to prove a point at home to Celta Vigo who have leaked goals this season – 44 in their 27 games.
Advertisement
Indeed, the Merengues have won 21 of their 30 home matches against Italian opponents (D3-L6) and they have lost only one of the 30 UEFA competition ties in which they won the first leg away from home, winning 17 of their last 20 Champions League home games (L1).
