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Ronaldo returns to fire Real's title hopes
Source: Agencies |
November 27, 2009, Friday
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CRISTIANO Ronaldo returned to action on Wednesday after nearly two months out due to injury, coming on as a second-half substitute in Real Madrid's 1-0 Champions League win over FC Zurich.
The Portugal winger, the world's most expensive footballer, hadn't played for Real since injuring his right ankle in a victory over Marseille on September 30 in which he scored twice.
Ronaldo, who came on for Raul Gonzalez in the 70th minute, said that he felt fine after the lengthy layoff.
"The ankle responded well and I managed to push aside this mental worry," Ronaldo said after the match.
"I'm coming back now from over one month off and it's normal not to be 100 percent. That's OK, because with more games you find your rhythm and I want to play to help the team as soon as possible. It felt like normal but I know that I'm still not at the same pace as my teammates."
"I think these 25 minutes tonight will have been a big help," said coach Manuel Pellegrini, who watched the Spanish league leader go to the top of its group with 10 points to virtually book its place in the knockout phase of the competition.
"He showed good rhythm," Pellegrini said. "He's trained really well and left all of the worries over his injury behind. Everyone knows what Cristiano brings."
The Chilean coach, who said he remained "worried" about the team's disjointed play, will be particularly pleased to have Ronaldo back in time for the "clasico" match against archrival Barcelona on Sunday.
Ronaldo left no doubt about whether he would be available for Sunday's match.
"I want to be in the starting lineup," he said.
The Portugal winger, the world's most expensive footballer, hadn't played for Real since injuring his right ankle in a victory over Marseille on September 30 in which he scored twice.
Ronaldo, who came on for Raul Gonzalez in the 70th minute, said that he felt fine after the lengthy layoff.
"The ankle responded well and I managed to push aside this mental worry," Ronaldo said after the match.
"I'm coming back now from over one month off and it's normal not to be 100 percent. That's OK, because with more games you find your rhythm and I want to play to help the team as soon as possible. It felt like normal but I know that I'm still not at the same pace as my teammates."
"I think these 25 minutes tonight will have been a big help," said coach Manuel Pellegrini, who watched the Spanish league leader go to the top of its group with 10 points to virtually book its place in the knockout phase of the competition.
"He showed good rhythm," Pellegrini said. "He's trained really well and left all of the worries over his injury behind. Everyone knows what Cristiano brings."
The Chilean coach, who said he remained "worried" about the team's disjointed play, will be particularly pleased to have Ronaldo back in time for the "clasico" match against archrival Barcelona on Sunday.
Ronaldo left no doubt about whether he would be available for Sunday's match.
"I want to be in the starting lineup," he said.
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