Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Cristiano Ronaldo: "We expect Juventus to be strong but if we win, we will be halfway there"


"We are improving and doing a very good job, that is the only way we will succeed", said the Real Madrid forward

Cristiano Ronaldo accompanied Carlo Ancelotti in the press room at Real Madrid City. The forward spoke about his team’s objective in this competition and the match against Juventus: "We only have six points and teams with six points do not qualify. It is a big match that all players want to play in. We are focused on it because it is the most important thing. We're at home and we have to win. We expect a strong Juventus team, despite having lost to Fiorentina, they are a great team and very experienced. We have to play with intensity and concentration because that is the only way to win. They are a very strong and compact team. It is difficult to beat them and it would be unfair to choose one single player. I feel more towards Tevez because he has played with me".
The forward also spoke about the improvement in how his team are playing: "We are improving. We started a little weakly, but we're better now. We are training well and have to keep doing so because the season is long. We have to improve gradually. We are doing a very good job and we will only be successful by improving. We have to keep going and play like we did against Malaga, because it is a very difficult competition that will be decided on small details. We are a top team. We are not at our best yet, but we have to keep working and we'll be there for the end of the season. Personally, I will try to do my best until the end of the season".

When asked about what the team needs to be able to play the way that the coach wants, he said: "We have to improve in all aspects, as much in defence as in attack. A team has to work as one. There are still a lot of matches to go and so this week will be important, but not decisive. We want to win and gain confidence. We know that tomorrow and Saturday will be two tough matches, but we are just thinking about Juventus".

Cristiano Ronaldo only had words of praise when asked about Ancelotti’s working methods: "It is an honour to work with him. He has won titles with every club that he has been at. I am delighted to be working with him. He is very professional and good person. I cannot say anything else and just want to win titles with him".

About Bale and his first few months as a Real Madrid player, he said: "He's doing well. It has been tough for him since he arrived because he didn’t do the preseason. It is not easy for him. He is excited and we have to leave him be and not put any pressure on him. I'm sure he will do well. He is a great guy and a fantastic player who always wants to learn. All good players have to come together because that is how you will make a better team. I want to play with him because he's a great player". About the way that the Welshman takes free-kicks, he said: "Everyone has their own way of taking them".

About the excitement that winning the Champions League creates, he was clear: "I am excited about winning any competition. The Champions League is the biggest competition for the fans, but when I play in any competition, I play to win it. We have to think one match at a time and we have to win tomorrow". When asked why he made the gesture that he made after scoring against Malaga and about the position he is playing, he said: "What happened stays on the field. I don’t have to talk about it anymore. The people that are clever know what I meant. I am playing in the same position as always. Nothing has changed. The coach gives me the freedom to play where I'm comfortable".

Regarding Benzema, he said: "We all have good and bad spells. Maybe he's going through a difficult patch, but he is still important to us. We must always be ready for criticism. He is a great professional and he seems calm about things. Sooner than later he will be scoring goals". When asked about who he would choose between the Frenchman and Morata, he was blunt: "It would not be good for me to choose one. I respect the coach’s decisions and if he thinks that Benzema is best for the team, that is how it is. I'll try to do my best. Obviously I prefer one to the other, but I will not go into that".

He went on to underline Casillas’ importance to the club: "Everyone has their opinion. I will not say what mine is because I do not want to get into trouble. The coach said that Iker is important to the club and I’ll stand by that". And regarding  "I've always respected people's opinions. I always try to improve, be on top form and do the best for my club. I have to maintain this high level and FIFA will decide. If I win, perfect and if I don’t, I will keep working and my life will carry on. I'm happy playing football".

In reference to the possibility that he was very close to signing for Juventus when he was 18, he said: "I was close to going to a lot of teams. I only signed for Manchester United though. When I was 18 I was wanted by a lot of clubs and Juventus were one of them, but the club that gave me the most assurances about growing as a player and as a person was Manchester United". There, with the English side, he played with Tevez, who will be on the opposing team tomorrow: "I have played with him a lot. We won a lot of things together and we have to be careful of him because he is dangerous. I hope that the Juventus lose and that he does not play well tomorrow".

Finally, he denied that there is a hatred towards the Portuguese in Spain: "I don’t want to go into that, but I think that it started because of me. I do not see it as something racist. They chant things to annoy me and to try to make me play badly. You have to get used to it and give your best on the field. The fans show me affection and I cannot say anything else. I love Spain and the people here".

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