There is some bad news for Real Madrid fans as the club confirmed that star forward Cristiano Ronaldo has suffered a thigh muscle strain. However, they did not specify whether the Portuguese superstar will miss Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Manchester City.
Ronaldo picked up the problem late in Wednesday's 3-0 La Liga win at home to Villarreal when he hurt the muscle attempting an acrobatic bicycle kick and immediately left the pitch even though Madrid had already used all three substitutes.
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Although Ronaldo himself took to social media to allay fears of Real Madrid supporters, scans have found a thigh strain which means Ronaldo is almost certain to miss Saturday’s La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano and it could also mean him missing Tuesday’s big Champions League match.
A report on Real Madrid’s official website said:
"Following tests carried out today on Cristiano Ronaldo, he has been diagnosed with a muscle strain in his right thigh. His recovery will continue to be assessed."
Ronaldo has started every La Liga and Champions League so far, and the strain of playing every game in every competition seems to have caught up with the 31-year-old.
Gareth Bale is expected to recover completely and Real Madrid’s only other injury scare seems to be a knock on the ankle to right-back Daniel Carvajal.
Zidane not taking Manchester City lightly
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane expects a tough Champions League semi-final football clash with Manchester City.
Manchester City was considered to be the most accessible of the three possible rivals Madrid could face with the other semi pairing of Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich. Zidane's side have been favoured for having the second leg at their home ground, the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, reports Xinhua.
It is the sixth consecutive time that Madrid have had the return leg at home, but Zidane didn't want to speak about the luck of the draw.
"It is a semi-final and it will be a very very difficult game. The only positive thing about it is that we have the return in the Bernabeu," he said, brushing aside words from Manchester City sporting director, Txiki Beguristein that Madrid were favourites to reach the final.
"Everyone will say we are favourites, but we know how hard City are and we will prepare our best to face them," he said.
The possible absence of Cristiano Ronaldo might prove to be a huge blow for Zidane’s Real Madrid.
