Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid whistled at home by the supporters
By Thuya Kyaw
The four-time Ballon d’Or winner was jeered at home by his own fans
Cristiano Ronaldo had a tough time during a 2-1 home win over Malaga this Saturday, as he and some of the players were whistled by their own supporters.
Although Real Madrid finally bounced back after back to back losses, they were far from perfect as they scraped through a competitive Malaga side.
Ronaldo has scored 12 goals this season, but he has had trouble on the pitch in past three matches. Poor touches and finishing in Saturday’s game has turned the fans against the Portuguese superstar, as he was whistled in many occasions where he lost the ball.
Although he had chances later on the game to silence the fans, the post and Malaga keeper Carlos Kameni denied Ronaldo from getting on the scoresheet.
The soon to be 32-year-old player wasn’t the only player met with whistles from his own fans, his strike partner Karim Benzema was also greeted with jeers throughout the game, as the fans are growing tired with the Frenchman’s lack of impact this season.
Former French international has scored five goals in 12 league appearances so far, but became a villain after giving away the possession last weekend which led to Sevilla’s second goal and the end of Real Madrid’s record breaking unbeaten run.
After the match, head coach Zinedine Zidane has urged the fans to support both players.
“Sometimes when you have difficulties, you need the fans’ help and to be behind you.
“I am not going to criticize the fans because they pay their money.
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“But with so many games and a lot of injuries, the players need to feel that love sometimes. The coach does too,” said the 44-year-old coach.
When asked about their lack of scoring, the former French captain quickly ran into his players’ defense, telling the fans to “have patience” and admitting that both players’ recent decline in form doesn’t worry him.
Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid’s captain who scored a brace on Saturday, also voiced his opinion on the matter.
“In the difficult moments we need them to be behind us, not giving us sh*t and kicking us when we are down,” said the Spanish international.
Things have turned sour very quickly in Santiago Bernabeu. Just last Saturday, they were on course to recording a 41 game unbeaten streak and on course to having a perfect season.
However, they were hit with back to back losses and the fans are starting to get nervous about the lead in La Liga slipping.
They are also on the verge of getting eliminated from Copa del Rey, which will ruin the chance to win the treble this season.
Nonetheless, booing iconic players such as Ronaldo and Benzema are going too extreme, even by the very high standards Madridistas set on their players.
The Portuguese captain has scored astonishing 382 goals in 371 games since arriving from Manchester United in the summer of 2009.
The French striker also has good numbers, putting away 173 goals in 342 games during the same period.
Real Madrid travel to Vigo on Wednesday to take on Celta Vigo for the second leg of Copa del Rey quarterfinal, before hosting a tough Real Sociedad side next Sunday.
They currently lead the league table by a point with one less game played above the second place Sevilla. But their game in hand happens to be a tricky trip to Mestalla against Valencia, where they haven’t won since 2013.
Like Zidane and Ramos said, the fans at the Bernabeu need to be supporting the team as a 12th man, instead of becoming their enemy.
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Los Blancos were evenly matched by Malaga and were bailed out by Ramos’ two set piece goals. And by looking at things, they will need all the positive energy from their fans if they want to get back to their best from.
It only takes marginal errors to lose the lead in La Liga.