Madrid squad great and humble - Solari responds to Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo claimed Juventus feels like "more of a family" than Real Madrid but Santiago Solari defended the humility of his squad.

Published : Dec 11, 2018 17:41 IST

Cristiano Ronaldo with the Champions League trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo with the Champions League trophy.
lightbox-info

Cristiano Ronaldo with the Champions League trophy.

Real Madrid's squad remains humble after three consecutive Champions League triumphs, says head coach Santiago Solari.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who ended a record-breaking spell at the Santiago Bernabeu following the 3-1 Champions League final win over Liverpool, spoke favourably of the spirit between his new Juventus team-mates this week and said the club felt like "more of a family".

Solari is charged with replicating predecessor Zinedine Zidane's success in Europe's top competition after replacing Julen Lopetegui on a permanent basis last month.

Madrid is already through to the knockout stages as group winner this time around, with a final round-robin game to come against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.

"Humility is a great virtue and the Real Madrid squad is great and humble," Solari told his pre-match news conference. "Cristiano is living history of Real Madrid and his feelings are his own.

"Madrid is great in all the values of the sport.

"We work very hard – the technical staff, the physios and the players. All of us."

Speaking alongside his boss, Madrid defender Alvaro Odriozola added: "I have respect for Cristiano who is a legend here in Madrid, but it is already a past.

"This is a family and I was surprised by the humility of these players [after joining from Real Sociedad earlier this year] and the appetite they have."

Madrid lies fourth in La Liga, five points shy of leader Barcelona and heads to Abu Dhabi to defend its Club World Cup title next weekend.

Asked about whether he would prioritise the Champions League over La Liga, Solari insisted his team will look to fight on all fronts.

"Those two and also the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup," he replied.

"We have to be alive in all of the competitions. I like them all and that's what we should aspire to."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment