Speaking ahead of tonight’s Champions League last 16 first-leg trip to Roma, the Portuguese gave a surprisingly candid assessment of his chemistry with his Los Blancos team-mates.
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Roma was beaten 6-1 at Barcelona in November and fell 7-1 to Bayern Munich at home last season.
Roma vs Real Madrid in the Champions League at 2:45pm on Fox Sports 1.
“I don’t think there are any favorites”, Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said.
Cristiano Ronaldo says it does not matter how well Real Madrid players get on off the pitch – as long as they are performing together on it.
The 36-year-old veteran played many times against Real Madrid when he was with Barcelona from 2008 to 2012 and he finds it similar to the derby between AS Roma and Lazio. Real Madrid don’t really need no introduction, we all know what they can bring and we all know what they are capable of.
Real have made it to the semi-finals of the competition the past five seasons, claiming their historic 10th title, “La Decima”, in 2014 when current manager Zidane was assistant to Ancelotti.
Following his move to Real Madrid, he has reached new heights with his 345 goals in 330 games being rewarded with two further Ballon d’Or victories.
“He should sleep well and tomorrow we will see, but for a competition and a game like this you have to be at 100 per cent”.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested that he does not have a great relationship off the pitch with fellow first team attacker Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale. He’s more interested in helping his players identify their key strengths as they move forward in the Champions League.
“We showed aggression and for that reason I congratulate the team”. They beat Real 2-1 at home, a score they would repeat at the Bernabeu. Little meals or kisses and hugs don’t mean anything. “However, I’m not going to cage him, I’m not going to order three players to mark him”, the Roma coach said yesterday. Spalletti will be able to field midfielder Daniele De Rossi against Real after he recovered from a calf problem. Marcelo, who was a doubt is expected to start at left-back.
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Isco looks certain to play in central midfield with Zidane saying he gave Mateo Kovacic a game against Athletic to rest the Spaniard. “The player to counter Ronaldo must be – among other things – quick”.
