Real Madrid head coach Rafa Benitez says Cristiano Ronaldo is his only undisputed star ahead of their clash with Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Wednesday.
Agencies
ENGLAND, SEPTEMBER 24
Real Madrid head coach Rafa Benitez says Cristiano Ronaldo is his only undisputed star ahead of their clash with Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Wednesday. The Spaniard is know for rotating his squad, and says that Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player guaranteed to start. The Portugal international has scored 321 goals in 305 appearances for Madrid, and has five league goals to his name already this season.
“Here there is only one indisputable player and that’s Cristiano, the rest are good players,” Benitez told AS. “Cristiano was the one who ran the most against Espanyol. He’ll tire and he has to be managed. He’s fine today.
“I talk to [Gareth] Bale in English and he understands what is needed to be competitive. This is a special group. They know Cristiano gets 60 goals a season and that’s a bonus. It’s about helping someone score 60 goals a season. Karim Benzema is scoring too.”Los Blancos followed up their opening-day stalemate with 5-0 and 6-0 wins in the subsequent La Liga matches, but only beat Granada 1-0 last time out, and Benitez expects another tight game against Los Leones.
“I imagine a tough game at San Mames,” he added. “I haven’t decided who will play but Athletic will have their usual intensity. We know it’s a tough opponent. Madrid lost there last year so we need more intensity.
“The fans want the team to run and then the quality appears. Granada’s chances were from our mistakes. Still, we had 20 shots on goal. People know we’ve started better. The race isn’t won at the first bend, but it can be lost there.
“Above all the team has to be balanced. I want to win. I’m not obsessed with not conceding. If we don’t concede I’ll be happy and if Cristiano scores five I’ll be happy too.”
