Cristiano Ronaldo’s Injury Downplayed By Ancelotti, Not Giving Up La Liga Title
Manager Carlo Ancelotti is hoping that his big star, Cristiano Ronaldo, is recovered from an injury to his hamstring in time to finish play in La Liga’s last two matches, as well as the UEFA Champions League final against Atletico Madrid on May 24, which ends Real Madrid’s campaign for the season.
On Wednesday, Ronaldo only lasted eight minutes before being taken off the field, leaving Real in a precarious situation that proved to be difficult to handle, and topping that was another player’s critical injury, Gareth Bale, “Los Blancos” were only able to draw against Valladolid.
Ancelotti needs both men to be healthy for the last push in the quest for the treble — which after Wednesday’s draw looks more unlikely than ever — and is now in the hands of Atletico and Barcelona, as well as Celta Vigo (May 11), Espnayol (May 17), and the all important UEFA Champions League final on May 24.
@Cristiano pic.twitter.com/3Eh04Jtx7E
— Sahar.R (@SaharR007) May 7, 2014
“We will see over the coming days. We don’t think Cristiano Ronaldo has a big problem. He was not very comfortable but there was no tear.” Ancelotti told Realmadrid.com.
It was later reveled that Cristiano’s injury is not serious and he was taken off the team so early as a precaution, but with the La Liga title in the balance, why would Ancelotti pull him out?
The Italian skipper must realize that the hopes of winning La Liga are surely dwindling, as Real Madrid needs Atletico to lose both matches they have left in the season against Málaga and their last against Barcelona, which could decided the Spanish Primera Division.
Without Ronaldo and Bale, Benzema is left to his own devices and even though Real Madrid had better possession of the ball, it was clearly not enough, but for Ancelotti all is not lost yet:
“We controlled the game for 70 minutes then lost control.”
“We did pull everybody back but conceded a goal from a set-piece. It was not about a lack of concentration even if Iker (Casillas) did have two chances to save it. Winning the league will be very difficult, but the mathematical possibility is still there. We must continue moving forwards and win our two remaining league games. I don’t care who the favorites are to win it.”
Even though Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to leave the pitch early on because of his injury against Valladolid match, he returned to the bench to cheer for his teammates and was seen practicing on Thursday.
[Image via Gustavo Miguel Fernandes / Shutterstock.com]
