Cristiano Ronaldo completed Monday’s training session with Real Madrid as he stepped up his bid to be fit for the Champions League semi-final, second leg against Manchester City. We had to have a ideal night and that’s what happened – not only for my goals, but I think for everything. The first leg of the tie had ended in a goalless draw in Manchester.
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Cristiano Ronaldo says the Real Madrid players “feel more appreciated” since Zinedine Zidane took charge and he hopes the Frenchman stays in charge long-term.
Asked about Ronaldo he referred back to his time as manager at Real saying: ‘Ronaldo has marked an era at Madrid and I had the back luck but to be there the only season when he was out for two months with an ankle problem’.
The clock hit 22 minutes and Sociedad had hardly been in Real Madrid’s half and the chances continued to arrive for Los Blancos as Bale headed a brilliant James cross just wide of Rulli’s post.
Pellegrini had criticised Premier League bosses in advance of the Southampton trip, claiming the match should have been rearranged to hand his side more time to prepare to take on Real.
Real are eyeing their 14th final appearance, 60 years after defeating Stade de Reims 4-3 to win the inaugural competition.
It’s odd to think that a manager who delivered a league title in his first season, as well as the League Cup twice, hasn’t managed to win over the entire fan base, but there will be no more doubters if he leaves the club having claimed the biggest prize of all.
Gareth Bale was Real Madrid’s hero for the second week running as the Wales global headed home the only goal in a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad late on to keep his side in the Primera Division title race.
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“Manchester City are in the semi-finals because they are an excellent team”. “It has been tough but we’ve managed to win and we are happy to have earned three more points”. The Argentine striker knows Real Madrid well, having played for rival Atletico Madrid in the past. We got a good win with the effort of everyone, and now we can prepare for the game against City in the best way possible. “It was the ideal night; not only because of my goals, but everything, the team played really well and the fans played an important role”.
