Cristiano Ronaldo believes teams are ‘scared’ to play Real Madrid at the Bernabeu (Globe Soccer Awards)
Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Real Madrid to win the Champions League again this season and insists Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will overcome their slump.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final last term, have endured a difficult campaign in Europe this season securing just nine points from six games so far.
Madrid currently sit 20th in the Champions League table and four points behind an automatic place in the knockout stage.
City, meanwhile, have also struggled to dominate in the Champions League this season and also face the prospect of requiring a play-off to reach the next phase.
Guardiola’s side are also falling out of the running in the Premier League title race after a 1-1 draw with Everton on Boxing Day left them 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
When asked about City’s struggles at the Globe Soccer Awards on Friday night, Ronaldo replied: ‘Well, in football you never know what’s going to happen.
‘The teams have moments, difficult times, good times and what, for example, City pass through this moment is a difficult time but I’m sure, 100 per cent that they will be back.
Real Madrid have endured an inconsistent start to the season (AFP via Getty)
‘It’s like Madrid, people don’t expect that they’ve bene so brilliant in the beginning but they are not too bad, they are there, two points in front of Barcelona and they say it’s a bad season, I don’t understand why they say these kind of things.
‘Every player, every team they have a rash moment but they will come back all the time. And Madrid, if you have to bet to win the Champions League again I would bet Real Madrid because you never know what’s going to happen.
‘At the Bernabeu it’s different, all the teams are scared when they play there, this is a fact, history says that, and never consider Madrid dead because they always come back, City as well.’
Cristiano Ronaldo is adamant that Man City will bounce back under Pep Guardiola (Shutterstock)
Asked how City turn their form around, Ronaldo said: ‘Probably say less and show more, this is what I would say.
‘I would probably push a few guys apart and say what I think. I don’t need to say it in front of everybody.
‘But I think the big teams, the big players, they are smart enough to understand what is the problem, where is the problem.
‘I’m sure 100 per cent they will be back, Guardiola is a very smart coach, he knows what the problem is coming from, and they will be there like always.
‘As I said before, Madrid is the same. They are a little bit difficult in the beginning, some players have adjustments, some positions, but Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, they will be back like always.’
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